The London city skyline was filled with hot air balloons last Sunday, September 10 as part of the Lord Mayor’s Balloon Regatta 2017.
The event is the City of London’s official annual ballooning event and more than 30 hot air balloons took to the skies over East London. The balloons took off from London City Airport’s Docklands runway as part of the regatta, which helps raise much needed funds for charitable causes.
The convoy of balloons was led by the Lord Mayor’s Appeal balloon, which carried both the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress over the River Thames and around the capital city.
Take off happened at the first time of asking, with sunshine and blue skies over London on that morning meaning that the fleet of balloons was able to take to the skies safely. Dates later in September and the beginning of October were scheduled as backup dates in case of bad weather.
Early risers in the city were treated to the sights, and many managed to capture photos of the balloons in full flight as they passed by. Residents of Rainham and Hornchurch reported seeing the hot air balloons near their homes at around 7:00 am. Many of spectators posted their images to social media.
The event has raised more than £125,000 in the past couple of years and this year’s beneficiary is the LSO Discovery programme, St Paul’s Music Outreach and Music in Hospitals.
Those who wish to take to the skies themselves can arrange hot air balloon flights in Bristol, Bath and beyond.
