Why it’s party time for balloon boy Adam

A BALLOON released by a Dundee boy has travelled all the way to Sweden.

Adam Al-Hussein, 5, of Park Place Primary School, released it during the launch of the West End Christmas Week in November.

It was one of more than 170 balloons released by primary-one children from Park Place, St Joseph’s, Blackness and Ancrum Place primaries.

Adam’s balloon was blown all the way to Kinnared, a small village around 25 miles east of Falkenberg on the Swedish west coast.

It was found by Anders Svensson, who told Dundee City Council in an e-mail.

West end councillor Fraser Macpherson said: “The West End Christmas Week has featured balloon launches two or three times before but the farthest any balloon travelled in the past was to Norway.

“Adam’s is therefore not only this year’s winning entry but has in fact travelled the farthest of any balloon in our balloon races over the years.

“We are very grateful to the gentleman from Sweden who got in touch and will send him souvenirs of Dundee to show our appreciation.

“The balloon launch was great fun and it was great to see so many primary-one children and their parents come along to it.”

Adam was presented with a certificate yesterday, which entitles him and 20 of his friends to have a party at Barnetts Motor Group on Riverside Drive.

Barnetts sponsored the balloon launch and has a three-storey children’s play area.