Sky-High Generosity: Cider Balloon Ride Sparks Heartfelt Donation for Lifesaving Cause
By Josh Bell, Charities and Schools Correspondent
A peaceful Sunday evening in Wells turned into something truly special on 27th July, when a chance encounter beneath a hot air balloon led to a touching act of generosity.
As the iconic Thatcher’s Cider balloon floated gently across the sky, Peter Elston — photographer and Lead Corporate Ambassador for Donate For Defib Weston-super-Mare — happened to be nearby, chatting with a couple who had also stopped to admire the view.
Peter shared the story of his work with Donate For Defib WSM, a local charity on a mission to place life-saving defibrillators throughout Weston-super-Mare and raise awareness of how ordinary people can save lives in an emergency.
One half of that couple, Maggie, was so moved by the cause that she decided to help in a very special way.
She offered to donate two of her handmade Marmalade Bears — beautifully crafted and highly collectable teddy bears — to support the charity’s fundraising efforts.
“These bears are true works of art and treasured by collectors,” Peter said. “It was such a generous and unexpected gift.”
The bears will be auctioned off at a future event, with all proceeds going toward funding more public defibrillators in the community.
Peter thanked Maggie for her incredible kindness, and also gave a nod to the Thatcher’s balloon team for creating the magical backdrop to such a memorable moment.
“We always say that defibs save lives, but it’s people who make it happen,” he said.
Keep an eye out for news of the upcoming bear auction — and a big thank you to everyone helping to make Weston-super-Mare a safer place to live.
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