2013-07-26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release Submitted By virginballoonflights.co.uk



 

 

 

 

 

 

Telford, United Kingdom (20th June, 2013) – The UK’s leading

balloon rides provider Virgin Balloon Flights is encouraging Brits to

explore their countryside more and to help protect its future with a

new campaign. (Free-Pr-Online.com)

The company, which flies from locations across the UK, has launched

Love Our Landscape to harness the unique nature of ballooning to

inspire a greater appreciation of the rural landscape and the people

who care for it.

The campaign aims to enrich customers’ experiences with information

about woodland, wildlife and farming, whilst raising awareness and

funds for charities tackling issues in these areas, such as the

Woodland Trust, The Wildlife Trusts and The Prince’s Countryside

Fund.

All passengers will receive a digital Explorer’s Handbook telling

them what they can see below the basket through the seasons and an

online map will include local woods, nature reserves and farm shops to

visit near launch sites, plus rural projects to get involved with.

The initiative is a response to growing concerns about the

disconnection between those in urban areas and the countryside and

also Virgin Balloon Flights’ customer research in which 92% said

protection of the rural landscape and communities was important to

them.

A major Love Our Landscape raffle, featuring prizes from other Virgin

companies, will raise funds and a national photography competition

will challenge the public to capture the landscape in all its glory.

Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, said:

“Hot air ballooning gives people a unique way to explore the rural

British landscape and to truly appreciate its diversity and beauty.

Through the Virgin Balloon Flights Love Our Landscape campaign there

is a real opportunity to re-connect people with the countryside and

support those who look after it for all of our benefit. It’s a

really exciting new initiative and a great example of using business

as a force for good. I hope customers, staff, partners and the wider

public will get involved and show their love.”

Kenneth Karlstrom, Virgin Balloon Flights’ CEO & Chief Pilot, said:

“Ballooning is all about the spectacular views and our woodland and

abundant wildlife are a major part of that. Meanwhile, 80% of the UK

is farmland and we work with farmers on a daily basis. So, we feel it

is up to us to champion the countryside and contribute to the

appreciation and protection of the rural landscape and its

communities. This is more than a campaign, we are making it part of

our purpose and we’re working with some fantastic organisations

which are tackling the challenges facing the countryside now and in

the future.

“We want to encourage our customers, particularly the many from

urban areas, to explore the countryside and to support those who care

for it; whether that’s by visiting a nature reserve, buying locally

farmed produce or volunteering with a rural project. By promoting the

Love Our Landscape message and giving people fun ways to get involved,

we also hope to touch the wider public and positively influence

lifestyle choices.”

Paul Wilkinson, Head of Living Landscapes for The Wildlife Trusts,

said:

“Across the UK 47 Wildlife Trusts are working with communities,

farmers, businesses and the authorities to restore, recreate and

reconnect nature on a huge scale. Rarely do we get the opportunity to

get a bird’s eye view of these Living Landscapes. The intricate

network of habitats and the connections between them are needed for

wildlife and people to flourish. The Virgin Balloon Flights Love our

Landscape campaign will help everyone who enjoys the wonderful

experience of a balloon flight to better understand the landscape

below them and, we hope, inspire them to value and take action for

nature.”

Victoria Harris, Director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund, said:

“We are delighted to be part of the Virgin Balloon Flights Love Our

Landscape campaign. The Prince’s Countryside Fund was set up to

support the people who take care of our countryside and it is vital

that we all appreciate the importance of keeping our rural communities

thriving.”

Simone Ashley-Norman, spokesperson for the Woodland Trust, said:

“British woodland draws us in each season rewarding us with rich

memories, opportunities to reflect and play, and vital economic

resources. This exciting partnership with Virgin Balloon Flights means

we can now see these stunning landscapes from a whole new

perspective.”

Visit www.virginballoonflights.co.uk/loveourlandscape for more

information.

About Virgin Balloon Flights:

Virgin Balloon Flights is the UK’s leading hot air ballooning

company, offering champagne balloon rides and ballooning experiences

from over 100 launch sites in England, Scotland and Wales. Follow in

the footsteps of adventurer Sir Richard Branson and see Britain’s

beautiful landscape from an amazing new perspective or make

someone’s day with a ticket to the sky.
www.virginballoonflights.co.uk

Media Contact:

Alexander Ferguson

Head of Communications & Marketing

Virgin Balloon Flights, Jesson House

Stafford Court, Telford, Shropshire

Zip: TF3 3BD

Tel: 01952 212760

Email: alexf@virginballoonflights.co.uk

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