Balloon releases have been in the UK news over the past week, following a number of mass tributes to pay tribute to toddler Alfie Evans.
Alfie and his family have been at the centre of a media storm in recent months as his parents fought to continue his treatment overseas. They lost their final court appeal on Wednesday 25 April and Alfie sadly passed away in the early hours of Saturday 28 April.
The emotional story touched the hearts of millions nationwide and balloon releases have been the focus of many looking to pay tribute to the little boy.
Although balloon releases are normally only in the news for environmental concerns, there has been a huge groundswell of public support behind the Alfie releases and very little open criticism.
The first release took place outside Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool, where Alfie was treated. More than a thousand people gathered to release the blue and purple balloons, many of them foil and with ribbons attached. Other releases have also been organised across the UK.
However, yesterday’s planned balloon launch in Tunbridge Wells was cancelled after the local council advised against releasing the balloons on its property due to the detrimental effects on the environment.
Instead of releasing them into the sky, the mourners tied the balloons to a railing as they paid their respects.
“We would be most unlikely to give permission for a balloon release because of the impact on the environment,” said a Tunbridge Wells Borough Council spokesman. “We understand people may wish to commemorate little Alfie following his sad death but would hope they could find alternative ways to do so.”
Wesley Kinsella of Creation Balloons stopped providing balloons for release three years ago.
“We explain to our customers the issues with the environment and that we must advise against releasing balloons into the environment,” he explained. “Either they understand or they don’t and just go to larger retails who sell them the single balloon without any questions. I believe that we need better education across the board from the manufacturers down to the retailers.”
He continued; “I believe that large-scale releases still happen because how do you explain to a parent or supporter about the environment when they are grieving? Who wants to tell someone that what they are doing is impacting the environment? It’s hard to find a balance without offending or upsetting in such a very sensitive situation.”
