Prospect Hospice is one of many charities nationally inviting supporters to take part in a virtual balloon race.

People can design their own balloon for £3 then select the helium and rubber thickness before labelling it - all elements that affect how it flies through the air.

They can then follow the balloons across a digital sky on a journey shaped by real-world weather, geography and atmospheric conditions. The event starts from Westminster Abbey on Tuesday, the anniversary of the Queen’s coronation.

The hospice’s fundraisers are urging families to take part in this challenge.

Prospect Hospice challenge events fundraiser Sally Bere said: “It’s fun and an affordable way for everyone to help raise some funds to enable us to support patients and families who are feeling especially vulnerable currently. You can design the balloon, or balloons, to your own specification and then get on Google Maps to see how far it’s got – and because it’s a virtual event, there’s no cost to the environment.

“There’s a serious side, of course,” she adds. “It’s no secret that Prospect Hospice faces the biggest crisis in its 40 year history this year as our regular fundraising events have been cancelled through the summer. We have had to find new ways to raise the funds we need to care for people and I hope that people will see this as a fun and affordable way to support our care.”

There are prizes available for the people whose balloons get furthest in the event, with a £500 top prize, an Apple iPad for the second placed balloon, and ten £10 book tokens available for the next ten balloons.

Visit www.prospect-hospice.net/coronation-virtual-balloon-race