From Telford to Germany: New Year balloon tribute to family flies 650 miles
It has flown over 650 miles – from Telford to Germany. And the man who found it has managed to contact the lady who released this balloon.
Kai Greiner found the gold balloon while out walking his dogs in the German village of Schweinsberg near Stuttgart with his girlfriend. It reads "Mom, Dad and Kenny, always missed, loved forever, Lynne," followed by kisses, a date of 2016 and a location of Telford, England.
Kai, 30, decided to post an appeal for its owner on a Facebook page dedicated to residents of Telford – in a bid to let the owner know how far her message had travelled.
Mr Greiner said: "It is incredible the balloon flew such a big distance to Germany, the message is so beautiful, something very special for the New Year.
"Perhaps it is only a small balloon but a simple way to make people happy.
"It was important to me to hear that the people knew the balloon was found. I was happy about it and was sure the people in Telford are also happy about it."
Within an hour of posting the picture, family members and friends of Lynne Doody, the lady who released the balloon, had contacted Mr Greiner with her full name and had let her know about its journey and he now hopes to speak with Lynne herself.
Mr Greiner said: "I have spoken with some family members via Facebook.
"A lot of greetings and thanks to the many people who have made it possible to find the owners within an hour."
Mrs Doody said, via Facebook: "I was the one who let the balloon go along with members of my family, we let six go on New Year's Eve for members of our family who we have lost also for our beautiful sister Kathy who passed a few days before Christmas.
"It means a lot that you've taken the time to let us know how far it had travelled."
