A Tewkesbury company flew two balloons across the skies of London.

The stunning and historic flight by specialist recruitment firm Omega Resource Group raised £78,884 at the Lord Mayors Hot Air Balloon Regatta.

Launching at just after 5am, forty balloons took off from Shoreditch Park and climbed up and out over the river Thames flying between Tower Bridge, the Shard and Canary Wharf, with the iconic London skyline filled with this unique sight for over one hour.

James Strickland, group director for the global recruitment firm, alongside recruitment manager Ashley Moore, piloted the Omega and Datum RPO balloons.

“We were delighted to participate in the Lord Mayors Hot Air Balloon Regatta-It was a fantastic day out for the team and a great way to raise awareness as well as funds for the Scope and Mencap charities, through the Lord Mayors Appeal,” he said.

“To raise over £78,000 is an outstanding achievement and I wholeheartedly applaud everyone who took part. Scope and Mencap are truly inspirational Charites that will benefit substantially from the money raised. I am more than confident that these additional funds will go a long way to helping people with learning difficulties and disabilities face their everyday challenges a little more easily.”

Scope provide support, information and advice to more than a quarter of a million disabled people and their families every year.

For further information and how to donate visit their website scope.org.uk/

Mencap is the leading voice of learning disability in the UK. Everything they do is about valuing and supporting people with a learning disability, and their families and carers. For further information visit mencap.org.uk

Meanwhile Omega Resource Group also took part in the National Three Peaks Challenge this month. Eighteen people including the CEO raised more than £3,000 for The Spring Centre charity (who support young people with disabilities).