National Lottery Launches 2012 Balloon
The National Lottery has launched a London 2012 Olympics hot air balloon which will embark on a nationwide tour this summer.
The hot air balloon will visit cities throughout the UK, giving members of the public the chance to fly in the balloon, accompanied by elite athletes.
The hot air balloon is going on tour to thank Lottery players for their contribution to London 2012 and to highlight the role that people from across the UK will play in helping to host the world’s greatest sporting event.
Over £25m a week is raised by Lottery players for projects across the UK while the National Lottery is contributing up to £2.2bn to fund the infrastructure and the venues for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and their legacy, as well as enabling around 1,400 talented British athletes to benefit from coaching and support.
The National Lottery’s hot air balloon will visit Birmingham on 27th July, Manchester on 16th August, Cardiff on 14th September and Sheffield on 28th September. The balloon is scheduled to visit further cities in 2011 and 2012.
For each of these four locations, members of the public can apply to win a chance to fly in the balloon with elite athletes from their region. Details of the competitions will be available in advance through local press. For further details visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk.
The National Lottery also announced today over £1.1m of funding to two programmes focused on communities in the five Olympic Host Boroughs.
In the Parks is a three-year project aimed at increasing long-term participation in sport across the Boroughs and Represent London is a three-year employability and volunteering project for young people.
