A BALLOON race, started last October by Walkham Valley Scout Group to celebrate its 60th birthday, has now ended. Sixty balloons were released by the group by members old and new. The race ended on December 31. Sophie Stokes' balloon travelled the furthest, with the label being returned from a hotel in Orlando, Florida, USA (6,600km). The other results were: Jean Young, Calais, 390km; Michael Endean, Omaha Beach, 280km; Josh and Daniel Tobell, Cherbourg, 205km; Tafara Muko, Alderney, Channel Islands, 190 km; Katy Burbage, New Forest, 170km; Sturminster Newton, Dorset, 136 km; Beaminster, Dorset 103km; Joseph Burbage, Lyme Regis, Dorset, 86km; Richard Young, Sidmouth, Devon, 66km; D Perkins, Buckfastleigh, 44km; Billy Kingdom, Torquay, Devon, 40km; Fiona Burbage, Royal Mail, Plympton, 10km; Tomas Burbage, Ivybridge 10km. The group donated cheques to local charity CHICKS and a Tanzanian charity 'Orphans in the Wild'.
