Bell Tent Supports: The Flying Seagull Project

Registered charity number 1136379

The Flying Seagull Project is operated by a group of young actors, artists, musicians and the enthusiastic, determined to make a difference. They travel across Romania, Cambodia and in the near future, India! They visit disadvantaged children, the elderly, adults with learning difficulties, and marginalised groups of society. Using their skills and training, they organise workshops and shows designed to help childhood development, improve emotional wellbeing and give support through laughter. 'Fun therapy' is the concept - it’s not scientific, or a new fangled medical term, it simply means to have fun and afterwards, everyone feels better. Kids get a chance to be kids, those with disability can discover new ways to communicate and express themselves, which they might not get to do too often and, most importantly, everyone has a good time.
 

Ash Perrin (ringleader). Cambodia 2011.

The Flying Seagulls are currently in Romania, traveling through Arad, Brasov, Sibiu and many more places, and this year is Rosie's first trip. Rosie is the new Flying Seagull Bus, and she is even more equiped to pull up and put on a show. She has a fold out stage and is full of circus equipment, arts & crafts tools, musical instruments...and of course the Seagulls are in there poised and ready to skip to the beat of laughter!

 

The sound of the trumpet means something is about to begin.

This year saw the Flying Seagull's first visit to Cambodia which was an awesome success and has filled us with the confidence to travel further afield to spread 'Laughter Therapy'. Romania has always been close to our hearts, it is the place that gave the Seagulls their start and the reasons for doing so are as follows:

We all remember the pictures that came out of the country after the revolution of 1989, when the Communists were overthrown; those images which showed the world the horrific living conditions of Romania’s orphans and disabled children. Although life has improved for the country’s disadvantaged and Romania is now a member of the EU, there is still a vast gulf between life for a kid growing up in Romania and the rest of Europe, especially if they are disabled, orphaned, terminally ill, poor or living in a gypsy community. Life can be pretty stark outside of Romania’s up-and-coming tourist towns, so we have made it our mission to go and try to supply a bit of colour to those people.

Let the musical procession begin!

Romania 2008:


2008 was a great first year. We raised over £3,500 and took 10 volunteers in the
 Flying Seagull van to 5 cities, 5 towns, 10 villages and 4 gypsy settlements 
across Romania. We worked with 8 partner organisations, met with 40 
different groups of people and spread smiles to approximately 4,000 children
and young adults! All in just two months!

Romania 2009:


Onward and upward. We raised over £3000, took 20 volunteers in two Flying Seagull Vans to 9 Cities, 8 towns,15 villages and 6 gypsy settlements across Romania. We worked with 12 partner organisations, met with 65 different groups, created smiles on over 5000 children and young adults, and this time we were on the road for over three months!

Romania 2010:

 

We love a reaction like this!

Cambodia 2010:

Smiling happy faces is what it is all about.

Festivals

The Flying Seagull Team now appear at festivals across the UK. As a way of finding those all important funds for overseas projects, we now bring the light and laughter to our homelands! Currently we have been involved with the Camp Bestival Festival & Wilderness Festival, and we hope to get in with more festivals in the future to spread our message of laughter & fun to all.

We got a mention in a Guardian article on 2011's Wilderness Festival. Click here to check it out.

Matthew Willis clowning around. Cambodia 2011.
 

The Future

Plans for the next few years are well and truly underway, and it looks like its going to be action packed. Here are just a few ideas of what's coming up…

Festivals

The Flying Seagull troupe are will be heading to summer festivals in a big way. The plan is to convert a beautiful Rajasthan pavilion tent into a temporary home, and take our unique brand of kids' circus and comedy to the fields! We will be running circus and music jam sessions as well as selling some of the beautiful woollen goods from Gasteni Hospital to raise money for our projects there. The performances are, of course, free of charge however, donations are welcome.

Mary Poppins


It's in extremely early stages but there’s talk of a outdoor Mary Poppins show featuring the musicians and performers of The Seagull gang. Keep your eyes and ears open!

2011 - The Year of the Seagull


The aim is to spend an entire 12 months on the road travelling between towns and cities and countries and continents, entertaining and laughing with thousands of people from all over the world. It all depends on our Be a Seagull Supporter campaign (see Sponsorship).
 

Further Afield


In 2011 we see the troupe spreading their wings and flying further East. We’ll see how far we stretch, but there’s rumours of Turkey and even India!
 

If you want to be a Record Breaker…


Again, it's extremely early days, but there is a whisper on the wind that a certain troupe of performers is looking into breaking a world record. No more info yet, but keep listening.

Skipping to the beat of laughter

If you have any ideas you want to suggest or wish to join in on our adventures or simply want to say hello, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at flyingseagull@live.co.uk
 

Become a volunteer

We are looking for new volunteers to join us for some of the adventure.You don't need to have experience or any particular skills, you just need to be enthusiastic. Non-performers can learn on the way or find other roles within the team, there is always a lot to do. It is a great experience and everyone who's come before has only complained at having to go home! Some don't - Bex ended up staying for two months!

Don't hold back, if you're tempted or think you might wanna join in give us a call or email and we can give you all the info and see how you feel, or if you know someone who might be up for it, give 'em a nudge in our direction. Get in touch, and get involved..
 

Sponsorship

The year away means we are unable to run any fundraisers (no Rise 'N Shine 2011!), and therefore have to find a different way to keep afloat. It is not an expensive project to run but over 12 months equipment will need replacing, fuel to get us around, and arts and crafts supplies aplenty. So here is what we're asking, 'BECOME A SEAGULL SUPPORTER'.

We are asking simply for £10 a month for the year. A set 12 month direct debit of £10. This money will go directly to project costs, and give us the freedom and peace of mind to do what we do best, and make a load of noise and laughter. Most people wouldn't notice it leave their bank, but to us it'd make the world of difference. You can follow our escapades when we leave via our blog, and see directly what your funding, and what your donation is making possible. If you are willing to commit for the year, please contact us.
 

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