THE OSWESTRY Balloon Festival, which saw thousands of people pour into the town last weekend, has raised nearly £40,000 for a Wrexham-based hospice.

The carnival, which ran from Saturday and Sunday, saw around 20 balloons take flight across a number of windows from Cae Glas Park into the north Shropshire skies, including for guests on Friday night with residents getting an early peek.

While the event was free to the public, donations to Nightingale House Hospice were accepted and helped raise an incredible £37,000 for the vital facility that serves North Wales and Shropshire.

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Nightingale House’s Events Fundraiser Lowri Sadler said she and her colleagues at the Hospice were blown away by the support from the festival.

She said: “Thanks to the incredible support from our community and partners, we are thrilled to announce that the Oswestry Balloon Carnival 2024 has raised an amazing £37,000 for Nightingale House Hospice.

“It was a wonderful weekend filled with balloon activity, entertainment, fun, and laughter.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved—our dedicated volunteers, hardworking staff, talented entertainers, enthusiastic stallholders, and, of course, our invaluable partners from Oswestry Town Council, Oswestry BID, and Elevate Balloons.

“Your contributions have made a significant difference, and we couldn’t be more grateful."

Thousands of visitors flocked to Cae Glas Park in Oswestry at the weekend and dug deep in their pockets to raise thousands of pounds for the hospice, which provides specialist palliative care services for those with life-limiting illnesses living in areas including Oswestry, Whitchurch, Ellesmere and Wem.

The two-day event on August 17 and 18, held in association with Oswestry Town Council, Elevate Balloon Flights and supported by Oswestry Business Improvement District, was free to attend with a suggested donation on arrival.

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On the Saturday evening, balloonists at the event put on a ‘Night Glow’ show using the hot air gas outlets to light up their balloons as part of a display that was loved by the crowd.

A Nightingale House Hospice spokesman added: “A vast array of balloons was on display – including the Nightingale House balloon and, of course, crowd favourite Sonic the Hedgehog.

“There was a host of entertainment available for families including dance workshops, a Punch and Judy show and circus workshops.”