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By Kirsty, September 6, 2011 11:56 am

The wait is finally over for Lovedbyparents.com fans, as the site announced the winners of their
hugely popular parenting awards.

Virgin Balloon Flights sponsored the ‘Blogger of the Year’ award for 2011 with a spectacular pair of flight vouchers for lucky winner Katy Earley who writes www.modernmummy.co.uk.

Tina Summers Editor of Lovedbyparents said, “We were thrilled that Virgin Balloon Flights agreed to sponsor Blogger Of The Year  2011 and delighted that they provided the prize of a Balloon Flight for winner,  Katy.”

Hundreds of products were entered into each category and thousands of people cast their votes for their favourites. Social media sites were buzzing  with excitement yesterday as the awards were announced throughout the day.

All products were tested by a group of real parents and shortlisted before opening the final decision to the public votes. Winners were provided with a prestigious Gold, Silver or Bronze Lovedbyparents Award badge.

Gold Winners included Maclaren for Best Pushchair, Babybjorn for Best Babysling Leapfrog for the Best Activity Toy and Pampers for Best 
Disposable Nappy.

Special award winners included Wendy Shand of Tots To Travel who scooped the first FabWoman Of the Year Award. An award that was created to celebrate women who have been inspired to create a
business as a direct result of becoming a mother.

”We have been delighted by the response and support of our very first year of parenting awards and would like to thank all of our readers for their enthusiasm and continued support. It is fantastic to see such great products with an award that is genuinely lovedbyparents,” added Tina.

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By Kirsty, August 15, 2011 3:58 pm

Last week we blogged about our Warwickshire launch site Stratford–upon-Avon and the splendid scenery from the launch field of Stratford Racecourse.

As if by magic, our lovely pilot Des Bimson flew from the racecourse and caught the beauty of the bird’s eye view on his camera just days later. We couldn’t miss the opportunity to share these scenic snaps with you.

Des also shared with us his in-flight photographs from an Eastnor Castle launch this week too. This spectacular launch site sits at the foot of the Malverns (a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) in the historic town of Ledbury, Herefordshire.

You too can fly from Stratford Racecourse or Eastnor Castle from as little as £119 per person. Simply call or visit www.virginballoonflights.co.uk.

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By Kirsty, July 14, 2011 3:17 pm

A group of Midlands based footie fans are playing a 12 hour football marathon next month in aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice and Virgin Balloon Flights flew in to give them a helping hand to raise some extra cash for their cause.

Richard Lewis, team manager & event organiser said “Last year myself and 6 others participated in our first 12 hour five-a-side football marathon on behalf of Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice. This involved us playing 12 different teams consecutively; with each opposing team playing only one hour to ensure their legs were fresh. With sponsors help, the event raised in excess of £2,600 for a worthwhile cause which justified our pain and injuries.”

“The setup is the same this year, another 12 five-a-side teams all against us. Only difference is this year we are supporting Acorns Children’s Hospice,” he added.

Hoping to better their fundraising total this year the boys are hard at work getting corporate sponsors to donate things, prize donations for  raffles and of course you can pledge your cash at http://www.VirginMoneyGiving.com/football-marathon2011

Keep your eyes peeled at their fundraising events for Virgin Balloon Flight hot air balloon rides and copies of Sir Richard Branson’s internationally bestselling autobiography ‘Losing My Virginity!’

Give the boys a helping hand to make life better for the children at Acorns through Virgin Money Giving.

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By Kirsty, June 21, 2011 2:08 pm

Last week we blogged about 8 year old Olivia Staveley being the lucky winner of a pair of Virgin Balloon Flight vouchers for her superb entry into the Burnley Express draw dad competition.

The talented youngster was smiling ear to ear when she received her prizes outside the Charter walk Shopping Centre this week, let’s hope dad loved them!

Once again, well done Olivia!

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By Kirsty, June 13, 2011 5:57 pm

Eight year old Olivia Staveley is the lucky winner of a pair of Virgin Balloon Flights to treat

her deserving Dad with for Father’s Day this coming Sunday! The Cliviger school girl entered the Draw Dad competition though the Burnley Express newspaper and judges picked her drawing as the ultimate Dad image.

You too can give Dad an experience of a lifetime with Virgin Balloon Flights, this super Father’s Day gift starts from just £89 per person. With over 100+ launch sites to choose from, Dad’s adventure is never too far from home. Show him just how much you care and see beautiful Britain from a totally new perspective.

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By Kirsty, December 9, 2010 12:24 pm

So the festive season has started and Virgin Balloon Flights’ employees put on their dancing shoes for their annual Christmas party. This year’s jovial theme was a traditional children’s party complete with pass the parcel, party food and balloons in a village hall!

There were some interesting renditions on the karaoke, spectacular moves on the dance floor and believe it or not a truly exciting limbo competition.      What’s more we got our Virgin London Marathon fundraising off to a great start with a Christmas raffle.

With thanks to many wonderful businesses surrounding our Virgin Balloon
Flights headquarters here in Telford, we had a super duper selection of prizes including lovely bubbly and wine courtesy of Virgin Wines , one month’s free membership and a gift pack from Fitness First, 3 individual day passes and a back neck and shoulder massage at Nuffield Health Gym and Spar, a month’s  free games rental with Blockbuster, a meal for two at one of our gorgeous launch site hotels; Telford Hotel & Golf Resort, a family pass to Telford Ice Rink with thanks to Telford and Wrekin Council, a 6 person pass for bowling at TenPin and a pair of premier cinema tickets with Odeon!

At just £1 per raffle ticket we raised a fantastic £206 for our nominated marathon charity Hope House Children’s Hospice. Keep an eye on our fundraising efforts on marathon runner Susan Bowerman’s Virgin Money Giving Page and watch us race towards that £10,000 target. Sue is slogging away at the training now, follow her progress on her blog virginmarathongirl.

A BIG thank you to all who donated and to everyone that purchased a raffle ticket, enjoy your prizes. Why not make that special someone’s day this Christmas with a Virgin Balloon Flights airborne adventure? Soar through the skies and see the world from a totally new perspective in a Virgin hot air balloon, simply follow the link to see our special festive offers.

Here’s to a very merry Christmas and a happy new year, happy holidays to all!

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By Kirsty, November 3, 2010 3:07 pm

Katie Cummings, nine, from Preston Lancashire returned
to school after the half term break with  something spectacular to share with her classmates. She had joined her Mum Rachael and sister Rebeka aboard a Virgin hot air balloon ride above York.

The Virgin Balloon Flight vouchers were bought as a Christmas gift by Dad Steve last year and the ‘Great’ British weather was on the Cummings family’s side as they flew on their first attempt.

The flight took place just a couple of days after Katie’s ninth birthday and Dad Steve said “I decided it would be a nice late present for her.”

“She loved taking off & landing, as this was very exciting… she took a picture of some pigs in a farm that looked tiny. Katie sums up the hot air balloon flight over York as an ‘unbelievable experience’!” he added.

Katie is still telling all her school friends about her trip and Dad Steve believes it will be quite some time before she stops mentioning it.

To book your experience of a lifetime simply call our Shropshire based call centre on 01952 212750 or visit virginballoonflights.co.uk.

* Passengers must be over 7 years of age and at least 4’6” in height. Children aged under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Virgin Balloon Flights is unable to fly passengers who are pregnant or who have recently undergone major surgery.

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By Kirsty, October 14, 2010 3:36 pm

Pull out your fluffy socks, crank up the heating and get your
Christmas list written … only 10 weeks to  go until the turkey’s stuffed and Grandpa’s asleep in front of the fire. Forget queuing for hours on the high street for that special gift, why not get them an experience of a life time; a ride in an iconic red Virgin hot air balloon?

So why should a Champagne balloon ride be the Christmas gift you choose?

· This experience of a lifetime is super special way to wow a
loved one on Christmas day and is a  unique gift idea that can be tailored to your preferred location and flight time, a great gift for him or her.

· Hot air ballooning allows you to see beautiful Britain from a totally different view point and gives you a chance to explore your home town from the skies.

· With over 100 launch sites to choose from across England, Scotland
and Wales your airborne  adventure is never too far from home.

· You can choose from a selection of vouchers, with the option of adding Gift Packages which include: a Virgin shoulder bag, cap, pen, key ring, pre-flight DVD, binoculars and either Sir Richard Branson’s autobiography
‘Losing My Virginity’, a pair of BLOC sunglasses or a crystal engraved
Champagne flute.

· All vouchers have 12 months’ validity so you can fly when it best
suits you.

· Every voucher comes with a souvenir brochure and is presented in a luxury gift wallet (so there’s no need to wrap it) and after the flight there’s a traditional Champagne toast and personalised certificate signed by the pilot and endorsed by Sir Richard Branson.

· There’s even a Snapfish voucher for 40 free digital prints so the gift
recipient can relive their hot air ballooning experience for years to come, they’ll also receive a £40 Virgin Wines voucher to help  celebrate the festive season in style with a tipple or two.

· Our vouchers are sent in unbranded packaging (if you tell us it’s a surprise) so we don’t let the cat out of the bag.

· We offer express delivery, standard delivery or emailable flight vouchers so if you’ve left it until the last minute we can get your gift vouchers to you extra quick.

What are you waiting for? Simply visit virginballoonflights.co.uk or call 01952 212750 for more details or to book a flight.

See you in the sky!