A family were left amazed when they discovered a balloon they released in their home town of Mytholmroyd travelled thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean.
In August, Sarah and Richard Ottaway along with their three-year-old daughter Francesca went along to a fun day at Mytholmroyd Working Men’s Club to raise funds for Mytholmroyd playgroup and toddlers.
As part of the day, a balloon race was held and everyone had the opportunity to purchase a balloon and attach their name and address.
Months later, the Ottaways were delighted to discover that the balloon had travelled thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean to New York , when little Francesca received her very own ‘Letter from America’ in reply.
The surprise postcard was a photograph of the Navy Pier in Chicago - where the sender had returned from a trip.
Sarah, 37, said: “I was shocked when we received the card.
“Unfortunately Francesca didn’t win the race but we were still very excited to receive a postcard all the way from New York.”
And this Christmas, there will be a little piece of the Calder Valley across the ocean.
Sarah added: “We have sent the lady who was kind enough to send the postcard a Christmas card and a calendar with pictures of the surrounding area on.”
