Flying Seagulls need Guernsey support

Monday 25 November 2019

A circus troupe which aims to raise morale among refugees could come to Guernsey for a fundraising and educational visit if backing can be found.

Charity worker Sarah Griffith has met the performers during her trips to Greece where she has worked at a refugee camp in Samos.

She was most recently there with two carpenters from Rihoy and Son, who were 'loaned' by their employer to the charity Bridge2 to help its work with refugees.

Pictured: Craig Thomson and Marley Montgomery accompanied Sarah Griffith on her most recent trip to Samos to help in a refugee camp there. 

While in Samos Craig Thomson and Marley Montgomery met members of the Flying Seagulls and fixed the floor of both their big and little tops so they could carry on their performances.

The Flying Seagulls Project said on their Facebook that their work is about giving refugees some respect and dignity. 

"We work with some of the most disadvantaged and marginal communities across Europe. In Samos, we're with people who've fled their homes - they have nowhere they can safely return and no certainty that there's somewhere else they'll be welcome.

"We believe that food and shelter aren't enough. People deserve more than these basics - they should have a right to feel respected and valued. A show in our big top is our way of letting these people know that you haven't forgotten about them and that together we recognise a common human need to be treated with dignity."

Ms Griffith hopes they can now come to Guernsey to put on shows for local schools.

"(we had) a really good connection. I've invited them to come to Guernsey to teach our children what the refugee children have to put up with," Ms Griffith said. "Plans are being put together now and we just need to confirm dates - I have some dates in mind but they need to be confirmed with Ash (from the Flying Seagulls)

"We need sponsorship though so this can happen."

Ms Griffith hopes the trip will raise awareness of what refugees have to put up with in camps, like the one in Samos which was designed for 650 people, but is currently home to more than 7,000. She will also extend her invitation to local businesses and community groups. 

"I want to put on the shows for island school children - all schools will be invited, but it's up to them if they do - but the idea is to do workshops with the children anyway, then there'll be one or two big shows and then we'll do some corporate workshops where the guys will go into say Rihoys or Specsavers for wherever and do juggling workshops or something for a bit of fun with the staff."

If anyone is interested in sponsoring the planned visit contact Sarah Griffith via Facebook or her Bridge2 website. 

Pictured: Main image (and social media) from the Flying Seagulls on Facebook. Inset image from Sarah Griffith.