“I am delighted that the Hot Air Balloon Regatta is back this year. The Lady Mayoress and I look forward to flying above London as part of this very special event. Raising funds and awareness for The Lord Mayor’s Appeal and its charity partners – The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, MQ Mental Health Research and National Numeracy – is important for the whole City of London. The Regatta and its corporate partners are supporting the Appeal in its aim to create an inclusive, healthy, fair and skilled city – A Better City for All. This includes initiatives to promote inclusive workplaces, better understand mental health, support philanthropy and improve numeracy for everyone. In short, the Regatta – one of the most unique, fun and colourful events of any Mayoralty – is raising money to improve lives across the capital and beyond.”

Alderman Nicholas Lyons
The Rt. Hon. The Former Lord Mayor of the City of London

“I am delighted that the Regatta is planned to take place again this year. The awareness and funding that this event raises for The Lord Mayor’s Appeal and its charity partners, Place2Be, OnSide Youth Zone, Samaritans and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, is more important than ever. The Regatta, and its corporate partners are supporting the Appeal in its aim to create an inclusive, healthy, fair and skilled city – A Better City for All through its initiatives which focus on promoting inclusive workplace, reducing the stigma around mental health, empowering young women and supporting philanthropy through City companies and employees.”

The Rt. Hon. The Former Lord Mayor of the City of London Alderman William Russell

“The Lord Mayor’s Balloon Regatta® has established itself as one of the City of London’s key cultural highlights. It is a fantastic celebration of the City’s charity, community and commerce working together, which is what the City – and the Lord Mayor – is all about. 

Every year, the Regatta® raises awareness and funding for the charity work of theLord Mayor’s Appeal, which will concentrate on four initiatives: Power of Diversity, This is Me, She Can Be… and City Giving Day. These initiatives will respectively focus on promoting inclusive workplaces, reducing the stigma around mental health, empowering young women, and supporting philanthropy among City companies and employees. Supported by the Regatta, Ricoh and other corporate partners, the Appeal has at its core the aim of building an inclusive, healthy, fair, and skilled city – in other words, A Better City for All.”

The Rt. Hon. The Former Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Peter Estlin

“The Lord Mayor’s Balloon Regatta is quickly establishing itself as one of the cultural highlights associated with the City of London. It brings together charity, community and commerce, everything that the City – and the Lord Mayor – is all about. In my office, I have a tremendous photo of the 2015 Regatta, so I am very excited to take part in this year’s event.

“Every year, the Lord Mayor’s Balloon Regatta raises awareness and money for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal charities. Over the next three years, the Appeal is focusing on three organisations: Place2Be, OnSide Youth Zones and the Samaritans. Their work will benefit two communities: City employees and their families and friends, and residents in neighbouring communities. All this work – supported by the Regatta, Ricoh and other Corporate Partners organisations – will work towards one aim: to build a better city for all.”

The Rt. Hon. The Former Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Charles Bowman

“The Lord Mayor’s Balloon Regatta is the very highest of highlights – celebrating the tremendous contribution of business to their communities, 1000 feet above London! What a wonderful way to showcase our special City, and its unique heritage of charitable giving.

“The Regatta raises funds and awareness for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal which, this year, supports young people to achieve more than they ever thought possible – through the work of the London Symphony Orchestra Discovery programme, St Paul’s community projects in East London, and Music in Hospitals. These charities bring hope, encouragement and joy – so brilliantly embodied by the Lord Mayor’s Balloon Regatta.

Thanks to Ricoh for their generous three-year support, and to all the other organisations taking part, thousands of young people will be supported, and Londoners will enjoy the most uplifting, stunning sight this June.”

“The Lord Mayor’s Balloon Regatta combines commerce and community 1000 feet above London! What a wonderful continuation of the City of London’s heritage in showcasing the best of our society in the Lord Mayor’s Show. First on water, then on land, and now we’re taking responsible business to the skies!

“The Lord Mayor’s Balloon Regatta raises funds and awareness for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal charities – this year supporting young people to overcome challenges and to excel. And what better inspiration to reach for the heights, than the Lord Mayor’s Balloon Regatta: a glorious celebration of London’s glittering skyline. Thanks to Ricoh for their generous three-year support, and to all the other organisations taking part, thousands of young people will be supported, and Londoners will enjoy the most uplifting, stunning sight this June.”

The Rt. Hon. The Former Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman the Lord Mountevans

“The 2015 Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta was an amazing success promoting the City of London and hot air ballooning in a very positive light, while raising almost £80,000 for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. Next year will firmly establish the Balloon Regatta as an annual event, help raise global awareness and I hope establish the event as a much anticipated fixture on the London calendar.”

“I thank all those companies who put their faith in the inaugural event helping Exclusive Ballooning to raise funds for the Appeal and hope for their continued support in 2016. As the event grows in stature we also welcome additional supporters who wish to have their brands associated with the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and be seen flying over the City of London at the 2016 Regatta.”

The Rt. Hon. The Former Lord Mayor of the City of London, Sir Alan Yarrow

“Dear Supporter,  

It is with great excitement that I announce the launch of the Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta, which will see a fantastic array of balloons fly across the city of London to raise awareness for my charitable Appeal.   In 1992 Sir Brian Jenkins became the first and only Lord Mayor, to date, to fly across the City of London in a hot air balloon to raise awareness and funds for his Lord Mayor’s Appeal.   

21 years later, with the help of  Exclusive Ballooning’s enthusiasm and support, the Annual Lord Mayor’s Appeal Hot Air Balloon Regatta has been born, as we attempt to replicate Jenkin’s success.  

All proceeds from the Regatta will go to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal 2013, which, by giving a platform to its chosen charities, aims to encourage and challenge people to give more and do more to secure the future for the next generation, whether by supplying more music, lifting children out of poverty, safeguarding the environment, or protecting and enabling access to art in all its forms.  

Listening to and performing music has always been a profoundly important part of my life, and the main beneficiary of the Appeal, the City Music Foundation, will support talented young musicians early in their professional career, at a time when they need it most, through mentoring, performance opportunities and financial support.  

I hope you will join us in our mission to provide opportunities for young people from all walks of life to pursue their ambitions and build a brighter a future.

With best regards,  
The Rt Hon. The Former Lord Mayor of the City of London Alderman Roger Gifford”