Flying Seagull clowns embark on two-month tour of Europe's refugee camps

Mar 31st, 2016

On 1 April - April Fools' Day - entertainers from The Flying Seagull Project will embark on a two-month tour of Europe's refugee camps to spread love, light and laughter, if only for a fleeting moment, to children in need.

According to UN statistics, 36% of those risking the treacherous sea crossing between Greece and Turkey are now children. The United in Laughter Tour will begin in France, at Dunkirk and Calais, and visit Belgium, Austria, Hungary and Croatia on the way to Greece and finally Turkey.

Flying Seagull Project founder Ash Perrin (clown name: Bash) said: "Just before Christmas we visited refugee camps in France, Serbia and Greece, putting on circus performances, running clown skills workshops and playing games. The conditions change every day. The one thing that doesn't ever change is that children are missing out on something vital: childhood. Even in the most horrendous conditions it only takes a couple of minutes for them to relax, for the smiles to return, for them to become kids again. Our mission is to remind as many people as possible, young refugees in particular, that they are important and their happiness matters."

The Flying Seagull Project (FSP) is a registered charity based in the UK. It works internationally to bring happiness to children and adults, particularly those who are underprivileged, marginalised or suffering. The FSP regularly brings smiles to hospitals, orphanages, deaf/blind schools, refugee camps and slums. Services include one-on-one performances, community shows, workshops and training. Founded by professional entertainer Ash Perrin in 2008, the FSP currently has 20+ entertainers worldwide. Together, they have spread love, light and laughter to more than 60,000 children.

For more information see: www.theflyingseagullproject.com

Watch the United in Laughter video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=djx1Oq6lw9U

To make a donation, please visit: https://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/flyingseagull/laughternow

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