NAOMI House & Jacksplace have announced the launch of their first virtual balloon race as a part of their 21st birthday celebrations.

Unlike a traditional balloon race, the race is 100 per cent environmentally friendly as the balloons do not physically exist; no rubber, no helium, no string or labels.

It is however, just as unpredictable as a real race, and the winner will receive a £1,000 prize, sponsored by Southern Co-operative.

When the virtual balloon race is ‘launched’ on Saturday September 8, 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 during the race.

When a participant buys a balloon, they have the option to personalise by choosing the size, shape and even the thickness of the rubber; they can decide how much virtual helium they use, change the colour or upload a photograph onto the balloon. This also gives the participants the option to design their balloon in memory of a loved one. One balloon costs £21 and participants can buy as many as they wish. Participants, when they buy a balloon will be invited to create an account which will then allow them to track and customise their balloon. The price was set at £21 to coincide with their 21st birthday and this amount could also fund one hour of nursing care for a child or young person.

The race will close at exactly 3pm on Saturday September 15 and the balloon that has ‘travelled’ the furthest without popping will be the winner.

Jill McDonagh from the Naomi fundraising team, said: “We’re excited to be able to launch a virtual balloon race. We’re dedicated to reducing our carbon footprint and being more green and an event like this is a huge step forward in that respect. £21, the cost of one balloon, would pay for an hour of nursing care in the hospice, so the more people who buy balloons, the more help and support we can offer to the children and young people who need it most.”

Naomi House & Jacksplace cares for 325 life-threatened children and young adults.

To buy a ‘balloon’ visit www.naomihouse.org.uk/balloonrace