Wind Speed experience by lead Balloon
Sponsored by:
About this race:
Prior to Shine’s inception in 1966 should a child have been born with hydrocephalus this was often a fatal condition. The excess fluid built up around the brain due to the condition caused so much damage that survival was near on impossible. These tragedies are now much less common-place due to the invention of the “shunt”, a small valve inserted into the brain for the purpose of draining off the excess fluid.
However, this hasn’t eradicated the issues completely as the condition can sometimes be misdiagnosed or the shunt can occasionally malfunction.
Shine's expertly trained Health Advisers work with families and individuals throughout the country to make sure that they are aware of the signs of a possible shunt malfunction, as these can quickly develop into a serious situation. They are on hand to offer medical advice and can advise what to do in emergency situations. Sometimes, in adults, a shunt problem develops more slowly and the adult thinks there is something else wrong - our expert Health Advisers help detect the subtle signs that a shunt is not functioning and ensure the person gets to hospital fast. In this way our Health Advisers really do save lives.
Shine’s mascot, Benny Bear, is a bear who has hydrocephalus and is a great learning tool for our younger members to learn more about their condition and the various operations they might have to go through during their early years.
Babies born with spina bifida are often very sick when they are first born and the first days at home can be very stressful for parents.
Shine’s advisers call on their many years of experience in dealing with families in the same situation to reassure the new parents and “teach” them best practices when looking after their newborn child. The support and comfort they provide is immeasurable as their child will often go through multiple surgical procedures during the first year, something our Health Advisers have experienced on many occasions. They are on hand whenever the parents need them and can provide a lifeline through situations that would otherwise be intolerable.
To sustain our life saving and life changing Health Services costs Shine over £180,000 a year, all of which we have to raise through voluntary sources. Our balloon races make a significant contribution to this every year.
Your kind support in sponsoring a balloon would ensure that we are able to continue providing the services outlined above and support to our children and their families when they need us most.
The balloons will be launched from Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, as this was where Roald Dahl completed some of his work while seeking solace in his shed!
Mr Dahl is synonymous with Shine as he was part of the team that invented one of the first successful shunts with which to control hydrocephalus. He worked with a neurosurgeon and engineering friend to develop the shunt after his son developed hydrocephalus having been involved in a car accident. September is also the month in which Mr Dahl was born.
Want to find out when our next race is happening?
Sign up for our race newsletter and we'll keep you informed...
Balloon Launch
Support this race
Help us to raise more funds by publicising this race on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn:
Share This Race Page on Twitter Post a Link on Facebook Share This Race Page on LinkedInAre you interested in sponsoring an upcoming race, or would you like to buy a balloon in a future race to help raise funds for Shine?
contact usRace Leaderboard
# | Balloon Name | Distance |
---|---|---|
1 | South West Data Network Ltd | 3,454.64 km |
2 | Phoenix Mechanical Services Ltd | 3,441.91 km |
3 | Gala Lights Ltd | 3,441.66 km |
4 | Right Mix Ltd | 3,441.36 km |
5 | Chandlers Building Surveyors Ltd | 3,440.11 km |
6 | Benwall Fixing Co Ltd | 3,436.51 km |
7 | Douglass Geomatics | 3,435.63 km |
8 | Red C Marketing | 3,435.30 km |
9 | Priestfield Webber | 3,435.09 km |
10 | W G T Mantra Ltd | 3,432.34 km |
Finished Race Conditions Read more
Race Conditions
Wind direction experienced by lead Balloon
Race Records
Highest altitude reached
By R J & Son Crane Hire
Most support pledges received
Sponsored by:
About this race:
Prior to Shine’s inception in 1966 should a child have been born with hydrocephalus this was often a fatal condition. The excess fluid built up around the brain due to the condition caused so much damage that survival was near on impossible. These tragedies are now much less common-place due to the invention of the “shunt”, a small valve inserted into the brain for the purpose of draining off the excess fluid.
However, this hasn’t eradicated the issues completely as the condition can sometimes be misdiagnosed or the shunt can occasionally malfunction.
Shine's expertly trained Health Advisers work with families and individuals throughout the country to make sure that they are aware of the signs of a possible shunt malfunction, as these can quickly develop into a serious situation. They are on hand to offer medical advice and can advise what to do in emergency situations. Sometimes, in adults, a shunt problem develops more slowly and the adult thinks there is something else wrong - our expert Health Advisers help detect the subtle signs that a shunt is not functioning and ensure the person gets to hospital fast. In this way our Health Advisers really do save lives.
Shine’s mascot, Benny Bear, is a bear who has hydrocephalus and is a great learning tool for our younger members to learn more about their condition and the various operations they might have to go through during their early years.
Babies born with spina bifida are often very sick when they are first born and the first days at home can be very stressful for parents.
Shine’s advisers call on their many years of experience in dealing with families in the same situation to reassure the new parents and “teach” them best practices when looking after their newborn child. The support and comfort they provide is immeasurable as their child will often go through multiple surgical procedures during the first year, something our Health Advisers have experienced on many occasions. They are on hand whenever the parents need them and can provide a lifeline through situations that would otherwise be intolerable.
To sustain our life saving and life changing Health Services costs Shine over £180,000 a year, all of which we have to raise through voluntary sources. Our balloon races make a significant contribution to this every year.
Your kind support in sponsoring a balloon would ensure that we are able to continue providing the services outlined above and support to our children and their families when they need us most.
The balloons will be launched from Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, as this was where Roald Dahl completed some of his work while seeking solace in his shed!
Mr Dahl is synonymous with Shine as he was part of the team that invented one of the first successful shunts with which to control hydrocephalus. He worked with a neurosurgeon and engineering friend to develop the shunt after his son developed hydrocephalus having been involved in a car accident. September is also the month in which Mr Dahl was born.