Howzat for a lift off? (From Daily Echo)

Howzat for a lift off?

2:33pm Thursday 13th March 2008 in New Forest

HUNDREDS of yellow balloons filled the skies to help a New Forest charity.

The 500 balloons were released outside St Mary's Stadium as part of a fundraising drive by children's charity Honeypot.

Hampshire cricketer Billy Taylor, 31, helped release the balloons after becoming an ambassador for the charity for child carers and other vulnerable youngsters.

Now he is preparing to increase the ten-year-old charity's profile, as well as raise £10,000, by walking from Sussex County Cricket Club to the Rose Bowl from September 30 to October 3.

He said: "It's going to be hard work, we'll have to go cross-country for some of it which will add 20-odd miles to the road route but it's a small sacrifice for a great cause.

"I want to get maximum exposure for the charity so hopefully I'll be able to get the odd celeb to come along for different legs of the walk.

"I'm going to be stopping en route so we're going to try and get hotels to put me up and maybe offer a drinks reception each evening.

"Fundraising is massively important, £1m is needed every year to fund Honeypot, and as I've played for Sussex and Hampshire this walk made sense as the charity also helps Sussex children.

"I was very lucky with my childhood but this charity provides support for those children who are not so lucky."

Sponsor Billy at justgiving.com/billytaylor1.