A STOURBRIDGE family who released a balloon in memory of their son were given an uplifting surprise when it was discovered 73 miles away – at a favoured family holiday spot!

Charlie and Nikki Grant, whose son Teddy tragically died on October 19 last year at the age of one after suffering a heart attack, gathered with family and friends at Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge for the memorial event.

The couple arranged the get together on Saturday (October 15) just three days after what would have been their son’s second birthday.

But the family was unaware of the social media frenzy Charlie’s mother Carol’s heart-shaped balloon had created until a few hours later when they discovered it had floated all the way to Derbyshire.

Buxton resident Emma Wardle found the balloon, with Carol’s message to Teddy on it, and posted an appeal on Facebook to help trace them. This prompted hundreds of shares and comments before the message eventually got back to Nikki.

The location was a huge coincidence for them as Buxton held happy memories for them after a family holiday there a few years ago.

Carol, of Stourport, said: “This goes to show the power of technology. It was such a lovely and uplifting thing to happen after the memorial event.

“A few years ago, before my son’s two little boys were born, the family spent a few days in Buxton on holiday and we absolutely loved it and always said we should go back.

“This felt as if we were given a message telling us to go back as we have planned!”

Some of the other biodegradable balloons, with tags featuring seeds that can be replanted, released at the memorial event bore the name of the Daisy Garland charity, for which the family has raised £30,000 for in memory of Teddy.

The event also saw the family spend time at the Teddy’s memorial bench in the park and a visit to the cemetery to light candles by his grave.

Nikki said: “We had lots of family and friends at the memorial and we did it for the children really and show them Teddy is still in our hearts.

“It has been a really hard year but we are just so grateful our family and friends by our side throughout.”

She added Emma Wardle has since released the balloon again to see where it might end up.