CAPE TOWN – Daredevil, Matt Silver-Vallance, has successfully floated with helium balloons from Robben Island to mainland Cape Town.
The long-awaited attempt was initially delayed for a couple of hours due to inclement weather.
South-African born Silver-Vallance, flew the short distance across the Atlantic on Saturday afternoon, with around 180 party balloons.
The balloons, which were 15 meters in diameter, were filled from 3am this morning, by a team of 25 people. All in all, the collection made his transportation device 12 storeys high.
Brandishing white, red, black, yellow, blue and green balloons, and floating several meters above the ocean, Silver-Vallance whizzed over a navy vessel transporting journalists, before slowing down.
He was accompanied on his daring mission by a paraglider, on a journey which took just under an hour.
While visibility was poor due to thick fog, he landed safely on a boat off Sunset Beach in the Mother City.
Silver-Vallance’s effort is part of a campaign aimed at raising R10 million for the building of the Nelson Mandela Children’s hospital.
– eNCA
– Additional reporting Sapa
Take Action:
- Book Matt as your next Inspirational Speaker.
- Join us on our next adventure: The Long Walk Facebook Page or follow Matt on his Twitter account #balloonbloke.
- Visit the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Website and make a donation.