Ozone protesters plan stunt

Press, 31 March 1989, Page 35

Ozone protesters plan stunt

NZPA-PA London A North Sea diver will attempt to launch a hotair balloon at the North Pole in a daring stunt to publicise the danger to the ozone layer. Paul Lavelle, aged 32, and his girlfriend, Mette Larsen, aged 23, plan to fly up to 600 metres above the Pole in a brightly coloured balloon decorated with the slogan, “Save the Ozone ... Use Ozone Safe.” The Rainbow Endeav-

our was built at Oswestpr, Shropshire, by Per Linstrand, who partnered an entrepreneur, Richard Branson, in his transatlantic balloon trip. Outdoor trial flights in Britain were hampered by poor weather- until Alan Bond’s Airship Industries, Ltd, offered a huge clim-ate-controlled hangar in which to inflate the 25metre high balloon. Mr Lavelle, of Swindon, met his Norwegian girlfriend, Ms Larsen, while

working in the offshore oil industry in Stavanger. They became so concerned about damage to the ozone layer that Mr Lavelle later sold his home and set up a pressure group, Global Concern, to raise public awareness of the danger. They and their support team will travel to the polar ice cap on sleds for Project Ozone, sponsored by a waterproof clothing manufacturer.