Hot air balloons set to soar over London for Lord Mayor’s Appeal

Dozens of hot air balloons are set to soar above London’s skyline later on Sunday, marking the first time since 2019.

The Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta is scheduled to take place on 21 July.

Organisers have earmarked 28 July as a standby date for the mass lift-off of around 50 balloons, if weather on Sunday is unsuitable.

The event aims to generate awareness about the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and has raised more than £250,000 since 2015.

Funds raised by the Lord Mayor’s Appeal support three charities: MQ Mental Health Research, a mental health research charity; Homewards, a homelessness charity; and National Numeracy, which works to build maths skills across London.

The regatta was last held in 2019, when 46 hot air balloons launched from Battersea Park at 05:30 BST and floated through the skies across central London.

It was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And in 2022 and 2023 it was stood down due to poor weather.

Organisers said the balloons this year will take flight with the intention of passing by landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

The expected launch time is around 05:00 on Sunday.

The Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli will lead the event, the organisers added.