Moss backs safety scheme

Supermodel Kate Moss and pop group Coldplay have pledged their support to a safety charity set up in memory of a British woman murdered in Japan

Moss has recorded a message for The Lucie Blackman Trust and has been seen wearing a purple wristband in support of the charity, which gives advice to young people on how to stay safe at home and abroad.

The Trust was set up after Ms Blackman, a former flight attendant from Sevenoaks in Kent, vanished while working as a hostess in a nightclub in the Roppongi district of Tokyo in July 2000.

Her dismembered body was found in a cave in Miura, a remote and secluded fishing village outside the city, in February 2001, after a seven-month search.

Japanese businessman Joji Obara has been charged with murdering the 21-year-old and is currently on trial in a lengthy case being held in Tokyo.

Ms Blackman's father Tim Blackman, from the Isle of Wight, set up the Trust to provide an internet service which allows young people to arrange for a delayed mobile phone text message to be sent.

The message raises the alarm if the person does not cancel it in time.

During last weekend's Nokia Isle of Wight Festival, Moss recorded a short video message saying: "Hi, I'm Kate Moss. Please stay safe and visit The Lucie Blackman Trust website."

Later, at the climax of the three-day event in Newport, Chris Martin of Coldplay dedicated the song Talk to the cause.

Martin has been a regular supporter of the charity after meeting Lucie's father on a plane to Japan, when Mr Blackman was travelling to attend the Obara court case.

Mr Blackman said: "The aim of the video messages are to persuade young people to consider their personal safety when travelling.

"By asking people they respect to deliver that message it will hopefully have a stronger effect. With half a million youngsters heading off on a gap year shortly, it's important we use any method we can."

Other artists who have recorded messages for the charity's website, www.lucieblackmantrust.org, were Goldfrapp, The Kooks, Suzanne Vega and The Rakes.