The sky will be filled with white balloons on Saturday (June 20) at noon when the East Surrey Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association stages its sixth annual ‘Free Spirit’ balloon release at Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking.

More than 250 helium-filled balloons will be released in memory of local loved ones, many of whom have died from Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Every balloon will have a tag attached to it, stating in whose memory it has been released, together with many very personal messages. Before they are released, the balloons will be blessed by the Reverend Bob Whittle, vicar of St Mark’s Church, Tattenham Corner (where the branch holds regular open meetings) and there will be a minute’s silence in memory of those people being remembered by the event.

This year’s event has raised over £3,000 from donations sent in with completed balloon tags, and this money will be used to support the Branch’s services to local people affected by Motor Neurone Disease, as well as funding vital research into the disease itself.

This symbolic event is being organised as part of ‘MND Week’ (Saturday June 20 to June 28).

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