Yes, we are at it again and we don't just mean building amazing new homes.
Larkfleet understands the importance of working with the local community. As a responsible business we want to ensure we can 'give something back' and that's why our recent collaboration with the fantastic charity Shine means so much.
By sponsoring
a virtual balloon race, Larkfleet can help to support people
affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus (a build-up of fluid on the brain).
The race is organised by Peterborough-based
charity Shine and people have the chance to watch and track their balloon as it races to the
(virtual) finish line.
Shine has been running
fund-raising balloon races for about 40 years but moved them into the online
world in 2009 because of concern about the environmental impact of balloons
littering the countryside. People can buy a ‘virtual balloon’ which can then be
decorated, tracked and even have its journey influenced on social media!
The Shine computer takes account
of real-world weather conditions and factors such as the amount of gas in each
balloon as it continuously calculates the position of each race entrant
following the online ‘launch’. The winning balloon is the one that travels
furthest on the virtual map.
Larkfleet Homes and sister
company Allison Homes are sponsoring Shine’s Benny
Bear New Year Balloon Race. Benny Bear is the Shine ‘mascot’, a
character who has hydrocephalus and works with children to raise awareness of
the condition and its impact.
Asif Shaheed of Shine said: “The
sponsorship from Larkfleet provides essential funding which allows Shine’s team
to contact companies and individuals across the country and encourage them to
buy a balloon in the race. We have sold more than £70,000 worth of balloons already
– and the race does not actually start until 3 January when we will ‘launch’
the balloons from Larkfleet’s headquarters in Bourne.”
Helen Jones, director
of marketing at Larkfleet, said: “We are delighted to sponsor The Benny Bear
New Year Race as part of our programme of support for local communities and
charities.
“Shine is an amazing charity and
the balloon race is a fun way to raise money for a serious and worthwhile
cause.”
If you would like to buy a balloon in the race you can do so at www.tiny.cc/benny.
The image (left to right) shows Shine CEO Kate Steele with Benny Bear and Helen Jones of Larkfleet at the start of the fundraising campaign.