The P&A Group soared to new heights thanks to it being one of a handful of corporate sponsors of a hot-air balloon marking the 25th anniversary of Wrexham-based Nightingale House Hospice.

The hospice provides specialist palliative care services, completely free-of-charge, to patients and their families across an area stretching from Wrexham, Flintshire and East Denbighshire to Barmouth and the border towns including Oswestry and Whitchurch.

Commenting on the first flights at the Longleat and Staffordshire Balloon festivals Steve Morgan, P&A Group’s Managing Director said: “I’m thrilled that the Nightingale House Hospice 25th anniversary hot-air balloon has taken its first voyages. The balloon looked fantastic showcasing the logos of all of its sponsors and it was great to see the P&A Group logo soaring high over the countryside!

“We were delighted to be asked to support this special anniversary balloon and we rose to the challenge by agreeing straight away. The charity does sterling work providing outstanding palliative care services for those with life-limiting illnesses and their families in our local community.”

In addition to being a previous supporter of Nightingale House, the P&A Group was approached in recognition of its work in the local community and its fundraising achievements and support for local and national charities. The company’s logo features on the balloon alongside a limited number of local and national businesses.

The inspiration for the bespoke balloon comes from Nightingale Houses’ involvement in hot air ballooning in Oswestry over a number of years. Based on the number of flights and uses, it’s estimated that the hot-air balloon will have a lifespan of between four and six years.

Laura Parry, head of income generation at Nightingale House Hospice said: “We are very grateful for the support we receive from our valued corporate partners, including P&A Group. The sponsorship they have contributed has made a massive difference to us.

“It has been a very challenging time, as it has for most with us, not being able to hold some fundraising events, therefore the Build a Balloon campaign was a huge boost of income for the hospice and we were delighted to have the P&A group on board.

“It’s been an amazing journey to be on with our corporate sponsors creating our Nightingale Hot air balloon and, now it’s complete, I look forward to seeing it fly the skies over our local community and beyond.”

The P&A Group comprises of Zest 4 Leisure, leading supplier of timber garden products, The Woodworks Garden Centre and Café in Mold, P&A Pallets & Packing Cases and St Andrews Business Centre for leased offices.