VIRTUAL balloons are launching from Lapland in a charity race for a charity.

The race will be full of virtual, environmentally friendly balloons, that are starting from Santa’s village in Lapland.

All funds raised through purchases of balloons will go towards Brainwave Children’s Charity.

Brainwave is a UK charity that help’s children with disabilities achieve greater independence by aiming to improve mobility, communication skills and learning potential through a range of specialist therapies.

The charity has over 500 children following the Brainwave Therapy Programme.

They support children with various conditions including cerebral palsy, autism, development delay and down syndrome.

They also work to support children with no official diagnosis.

The charity used to have a branch in Witham before having to close due to the pandemic. 

However, they are piloting Support Hubs in the Braintree area in 2022 and continue to support families living in Braintree (and across Essex) virtually through Brainwave Online.

The balloon race will launch at 1pm on Friday December 10.

It will last a week and will finish at the same time on Friday December 17.

The race is computer-simulated, with software that uses real live weather data to determine the progress of each balloon involved.

Each entry can be tracked once they have been launched.

Participants can customise their balloon’s design along with its helium content and rubber thickness, to enhance their chances of winning, depending on the predicted weather forecast on its journey.

Balloons can be purchased for £5.

Prizes for participants include a family weekend break to Camel Creek in Cornwall; six-person Regatta tent, and family day tickets to Butlins.

Balloons can also be purchased and gifted to friends, family, colleagues, or anyone else.

It could be a unique alternative to Christmas cards, secret Santa gifts, or other presents.

Brainwave chief executive, Keith Sinclair, said: “We are pleased to be running this popular and innovative event again.

“Our Virtual Balloon Race is a fun, eco-friendly way of supporting our charity this Christmas and there are some fantastic prizes up for grabs.

“Brainwave is an independent UK charity and we do not receive any statutory funding.

“Thank you to everyone who gets involved, you will be making a massive difference to the lives of the families we support.”

For more information on the event, or to purchase a balloon for the race, head to brainwave.rentaballoonrace.com.