Helping our local community 2017

We’re blessed with so many local charities and great causes doing wonderful work helping children and families in our local community.

As 2017 comes to a close, we’ve taken a look back at the good causes and community groups we’ve supported in our local area over the last year.

Derby Garden Centre? Are you sure?

Yes, absolutely! April saw us undertake one of our big balloon builds at Derby Garden Centre in support of Callum, one of the Centre’s former staff members who had been seriously injured some years earlier in a motorbike accident.

We created a giant balloon flower wall in the foyer of the garden centre and built a life-size Harley Davidson style motorcycle, much to the interest and entertainment of the centre’s customers.

The installation went down so well with staff and customers at the garden centre that we stayed on to twist a few balloon models for customers who came to say ‘Hi’ – and lots did!

The Heads Up For Callum Campaign was set up by the Bradley family from Belper to raise awareness of motorbike safety and the head injuries that can result.

Alfreton Park Special School

On a warm Bank Holiday Monday in early May, we rolled up at the Out Of Town Pub in Ripley to set up balloon décor for a fundraising event showcasing local, young musical talent organized by the Friends of Alfreton Park Special School.

Once we’d set up our balloon arch of a giant giraffe, we set about providing entertainment in the form of balloon modelling for visitors – the young, as well as the young at heart - to this wonderful community event.

We donated all the materials we used, as well as our services completely free-of-charge and helped the Friends raise around £1,200 on the day.

Heart Link Children's Charity, Leicester

June arrived, along with the hottest day of the year!

We were enjoying ourselves at the Indoor Bowls Hall at Alfreton Leisure Centre, supporting Alfreton-resident Mel C in her bid to raise funds for Heart Link Children’s Charity in Leicester – a cause very close to Mel C’s heart.

We set up an ad-hoc balloon studio, entertaining visitors by giving them an insight into our day-to-day work, and decorating a stall at the event in a fun, jungle-themed balloon extravaganza.

Summer Ball at Blackbrook House, Belper

An elegant summer ball was hosted at Blackbrook House in Belper to raise funds for Headway Derby.

We donated balloon décor for the event and kept guests entertained throughout the evening by creating our most-popular balloon models.

Was there anyone not wearing a balloon hat by the end of the evening? We don't think so!

Caudwell House, Southwell, Nottinghamshire

July saw us visiting Caudwell House to support their family open day by providing our balloon modelling services free-of-charge.

Caudwell House provides short breaks for children with disabilities and associated illnesses and we were pleased to bring smiles to so many young faces that day.

For us, Christmas arrived early – in early November, in fact, for the launch of the Cash for Kids present appeal to ensure that every child living in poverty in South Yorkshire receives a gift on Christmas Day.

Wow, who wouldn’t want to support this great cause?

Hallam FM’s Cash for Kids Mission Christmas Appeal - Sheffield, South Yorkshire

We certainly did and we went all out to create an amazing festive balloon display for the charity’s prestigious launch event at The Copthorne Hotel in Sheffield.

Our balloon penguin brass band was a big hit and the penguins found themselves new homes that evening thanks to attendees who made donations to Cash For Kids.