MORE than 1,000 balloons will be popped at a fundraising event on Friday.

The big Balloon Pop is being organised by Annika Dowson, from Helmsley, to raise funds and awareness for York Teaching Hospital Maternity Bereavement services.

Annika’s first child Gypsy was still born 10 years ago and she and her husband, James have campaigned to raise awareness of the effects of a death of a child.

She said: “The idea for the balloon pop is that each balloon will have a ticket in it saying whether or not you have won a prize. There are more than 110 prizes, including Eurostar tickets and two tickets for Matilda in London, as well as a meal for two. Others who have donated include Dalby forest, Go Outdoors, Bella di Notte, Helmsley Traditional Sweet Shop, Scarborough Spa, York Theatre Royal. The response I have had is actually rather overwhelming.

“Whenever I think of my daughter on an occasion I have a balloon around, it’s just a happy way to remember her, so what better way to recognise Gypsy this year than blowing up as many balloons as I can and fill a room with them?"

The event will take place on Friday, from 10am to 2pm, at the Feathers Hotel, Helmsley.