Brothers rise to the challenge of ballooning ecological hazard

Dubai siblings aged 9 and 5 launch awareness campaign against dangerous flying litter

■ supportive of our campaign and routinely send us brochures and pamphlets. We have also made some of our own posters which we use to spread the word about helium balloon alternatives,” said Gareth. ■

“Birthday parties can be fun and exciting without balloons. So why do we need them? We use upcycled material to make decorations for birthday parties and encourage our friends to do the same.”

Cooper and Gareth Andrade, both students of Winchester School-Jebel Ali, conceptualised the Balloons Blow initiative.

Gareth with shreds of balloons he collected. Left: A imporerly discarded helium balloon entangled in the leg of a bird.