Valentine's balloon race to raise funds for hundreds of rescue cats

The Celia Hammond Animal Trust will run a week-long St Valentine's Virtual Balloon Race from 14–21 February to help cover feeding costs for about 750 rescue cats; each digital balloon costs £3 and proceeds will support care during the campaign.

The Celia Hammond Animal Trust is holding a St Valentine's Virtual Balloon Race in February to raise money for its rescue cats. The online event runs from Saturday 14 February to Saturday 21 February, which is the charity's 40th anniversary. CHAT cares for around 750 cats across two centres in London and a rehoming centre and sanctuary in Brede, East Sussex. Funds raised during the week-long campaign are intended to help cover the cost of feeding the cats. Event details: - The virtual race will have balloons 'launched' from the Eiffel Tower in Paris at 12pm on Saturday, February 14. - Each digital balloon costs £3, described as the equivalent of one day's care for a rescue cat. - The charity estimates it will cost around £15,000 to feed all cats in its care over the seven-day race. - The race is entirely online and wildlife friendly; no real balloons will be released. - Prizes include a top prize of £100, a runner-up Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation), and a special goodie box for the furthest-travelled CHAT balloon. - The event concludes on Saturday, February 21, coinciding with CHAT's 40th anniversary. Summary: The virtual balloon race is intended to raise donations to cover the estimated £15,000 feeding cost for about 750 cats during the seven-day campaign. The winner will be the balloon that travels furthest by 21 February, with several prizes announced by the charity. The campaign closes on CHAT's 40th anniversary on Saturday, February 21.