THE Rosemere Cancer Foundation is encouraging readers to take part in its upcoming virtual balloon race fundraiser.

First prize in the competition is a £500 payment, while the second prize is an Apple Ipad and there are 10 third prizes of £10 book tokens.

Donations will go to support Rosemere projects across Lancashire and South Cumbria, which will have their own customised balloon virtually released from Westminster Abbey on Tuesday June 2.

Louise Grant, fundraising co-ordinator for the charity, said: “The race should be great fun. It’s also educational too as you can track your balloon’s journey using Google Maps.

"Before it’s released, you design your balloon and decide on its helium level and the thickness of its rubber so there’s a good amount of art and science in there too.

“More than anything though, it will help us in our mission to ensure local cancer patients have access to world class cancer treatments and services at a time when our more conventional means of raising money to support our many projects are pretty much all suspended because of coronavirus.”

Rosemere Cancer Foundation funds cutting edge equipment, research, training and other cancer services as well as therapies that the NHS is unable to afford to benefit cancer patients being treated at Rosemere Cancer Centre.

Rosemere is the region’s specialist cancer treatment centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, and at another eight local hospital cancer units across Lancashire and south Cumbria.

To enter the balloon race, log on to Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s website at www.rosemere.org.uk

There are simple, step-by-step instructions and a video explainer showing participants how the race works and is judged.

The race ends on Monday June 8.