VIRTUAL GLOBAL BALLOON RACE

Brighter Futures’ Virtual Balloon Race Fundraising Drive

As Community Engagement Officer and on behalf of Brighter Futures, working within the third sector, Coronavirus has meant physical contact with supporters and donors has become increasingly difficult therefore, COVID-19 will long be remembered for the way it quickly dismantled our way of life and our way of working...

Due to social distancing, ‘normal’ fundraising drives are almost impossible, which has made Brighter Futures become proactive and creative to endeavour to find the much needed funds to continue our work by supporting the 150 local families that we work with at any one time.

Therefore, we are delighted to introduce our first ever virtual fundraising initiative, Balloons for Brighter Futures!

We believe a v irtu al balloon race is a wonderful thing to do while we are all in lockdown. People and communities can both come together virtually and - via their balloons - can travel the world virtually.

Ecoracing.co, the world’s only virtual balloon race system will be Brighter Futures’ first virtual event. With many fundraising events being cancelled due to Covid-19, we believe it to be a great way for us to run an i nter active activity which we trust will prove to be really popular and fun, even in these difficult times.

We hope this event will appeal to adults, children and young people alike as Brighter Futures envisage high levels of engagement once the race begins with supporters exploring virtually how far their balloon has travelled.

The virtual Balloon Race is a totally Internet based platform, so there is no p hysic al contact with charity supporters required at any point. The Balloons for Brighter Futures race is a great fun 7day computer simulation race where everything is real except the balloon.

100% environmentally friendly there is no actual balloon, no string or label, no helium gas. But it is just as unpredictable as a real race and just as competitive!

Although sales take place now and for the next 3 weeks , when the virtual balloon race is ‘launched’ at 9pm on Thursday July 16, the actual prevailing weather conditions for the launch area on the day will be applied to ALL the balloons in the race equally. An advanced computer modelling programme using Google maps and weather data, will then ‘track’ how each balloon reacts to the weather conditions during the race. By following a link, you can track your ballo on /s in real time 24/7.

Customise your Balloon

Because this is a virtual race – YOU can personalise your balloon by choosing the size, shape and even the thickness of the rubber; you can decide how much virtual helium you use; you can change the colour or upload a photograph/corporate logo onto your balloon.

A larger, more aerodynamic balloon may fly faster – but it is also at greater risk of exploding if we ath er conditions make the balloon rise too high or too fast. If the rubber you select is too thin, the air pressure within your balloon may make it burst; too much ‘helium’ and it could pop early, too little and it might crawl along at a low level or burst on the nearest tree or pylon.

Balloons for Brighter Futures will ensure that our fundraising efforts continue and hopefully offer some entertainment to t hose that take part during these challenging times.

This campaign was born out of the uncertain and difficult times we currently face… Please, take a look; We have some amazing prizes! https://rabr.co/bfj

For more information contact; s.betts@brighterfutures.org.je Community Engagement Officer

Web: www.brighterfutures.org.je Twitter: @brightfutureje Facebook: Brighter Futures Jersey Registered Charity No: 20 4