Londoner to scale Everest with son's note to Sadiq Khan calling for air pollution action

Explorer David O'Brien who is climbing Everest with a note his son Flynn made

An explorer is taking a note written by his five-year-old son calling on Mayor Sadiq Khan to do more about toxic air to the very top — of Everest.

David O’Brien, 51, an expedition leader from Kensal Green, hopes the note by Flynn, a pupil at Ark Franklin Primary School, will raise awareness.

It reads: “My dad climbs Everest and can breathe clean air. I go to school and breathe polluted air.”

Another reads: “Please Mr Mayor ask people to turn off their engines near my school.”

Mr O’Brien, who has been at Base Camp since April 13 with a team of 22 waiting for clear conditions to start the ascent, told the Standard: “Flynn wrote the notes and gave them to me just before I left. He understands that many cars and buses give out dirty air.”

The latest City Hall data shows 360 primary schools are in areas exceeding legal limits.

Mr Khan said: “My new air quality audits are a strong step towards helping some of the most polluted schools in London identify effective solutions to protect pupils.”

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