Christmas tree to be built from 100,000 balloons

Naomi Spencer said the project would present "huge technical challenges"

A 25ft (7.6m) Christmas tree is to be built from 100,000 balloons, to raise £100,000 for charity.

Naomi Spencer from Balloon Colour Blending Limited said the feat, at a hotel in Sutton Coldfield, had never been attempted in the UK before and would present "huge technical challenges".

Speaking on BBC Radio WM dressed as a Christmas tree, Ms Spencer said: "We've got structures, we've got people from round the UK coming down to blow up and build the tree. It's going to be insane."

The festive creation will be built by volunteers, schools, businesses and charities while the balloons themselves will come from donations.

The team has worked with balloon artists from across the country to design precision-engineered frames and complex balloon patterns.

Ms Spencer, who's been working in the balloon industry for 16 years, said she would "love everybody to get involved".

She called for donations, and said a single balloon cost £2.50, with £1 of it donated towards charities.

"The biggest thing we need to do is help grow the tree," she added. "We are a quarter of the way there."

The balloon tree will be on display from the 29 November to 6 January 2026 at Moor Hall Hotel & Spa.

It will be lie under a giant snow globe and be free for the public to view.

The 10 charities which will benefit from the installation are: The Luca Foundation, Acorns Children's Hospice, Smile for Joel, Kids Village, Buddy Bag Foundation, Tabor Living, Mommy's Boy, Kids, Black Country Women's Aid, and Help Harry Help Others.

Organisers said balloons used for the project would be 95% biodegradable latex, with other structures reusable.