Photographer needs help to highlight bomb campaign (From Penarth Times)

Photographer needs help to highlight bomb campaign

8:30am Friday 20th February 2009 in Latest news By Phil Tibballs

A PHOTOGRAPHER from Penarth has issued an urgent plea for financial help as she looks to raise awareness of the devastation caused by cluster bombs in Vietnam.

Dominique Lyons, of Arcot Street, hopes to document a six-week journey across the once war-torn country with a series of photographs – but needs to raise £2,500 by mid-March in order to book her place on the trip.

It is thought up to 76 million cluster bombs remain in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia following the conflict between communist North Vietnam and the government of South Vietnam, supported by the United States, between 1959 and 1975.

The pineapple-shaped bombs are often brightly coloured and attract children, with an average of ten youngsters killed by the devices every month.

Dominique, who has a degree in photography and used Vietnam as the subject of her dissertation, needs the money to pay for her travel and living costs as she looks to raise awareness about the bombs.

The former St Cyres pupil said: “Land mines have largely been eradicated but not many people know about cluster bombs and the damage they can cause.

“Getting the message across that children are being killed, and then trying to get the bombs safely removed, is something I’m passionate about.

“More children will die unless we do something about it.

“I want to produce a photographic essay that will be used to put pressure on governments to act.

“My photographs will highlight the problem, but I need sponsorship to pay for the trip.”

If successful in raising the funds, Dominique will travel with Project Pineapple - a team of motorcyclists who will ride from Hanoi on March 19, through Laos and Cambodia, and arrive in Ho Chi Minh City on April 30.

During the six week trip, the group will make several stops at villages as they look to educate locals about the bombs.

To sponsor Dominique visit: http://www.sponsorformsonline.co.uk/dominiquelyons.asp