The charity Stratford Circus Arts Centre is raising £12,000 to make Christmas a magical one for families in Newham who otherwise simply wouldn’t be able to afford a seasonal treat. Full Hearts, Full Tummies offers a hot meal and a ticket to a newly commissioned circus show for just £1; last year, over 385 disadvantaged children and their parents benefited from the scheme, some of whom had no access to cooking facilities to provide hot meals. This year the arts centre is hoping to exceed this number. Their fundraising efforts have already started with resident youth choir NewYVC performing at Canary Wharf raising nearly £200 in just under two hours, and the charity have received match funding from The Childhood Trust via The Big Give with all donations made between 28th November and 5th December being doubled.
Stratford Circus Arts Centre will be collaborating with children’s centres, food banks and local charities to ensure they reach those most in need. Families will share a festive lunch after watching a special performance of circus adventure The Ramshackle House, Stratford Circus Arts Centre’s Christmas show. For many children taking part it will be their first experience of live performance, ensuring creative inspiration for their learning development as well as some magic Christmas memories.
Speaking about Full Hearts Full Tummies, Stratford Circus Arts Centre’s Director Tania Wilmer said, “Stratford Circus Arts Centre believes passionately that everyone has the right to a creative childhood. Full Hearts Full Tummies is one of the many ways we make a fun outing to experience the theatre, accessible to local children and their carers.”
Following last year’s event, local children’s centres and charities spoke of their joy and gratitude for the opportunity to provide valuable family time and food for their most vulnerable families. This year, the Arts Centre hopes to raise enough funds to reach 600 children and families and is collecting donations in person or online at https://stratford-circus.com/donations/
Families will be invited to one of ten performances taking place on 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th and 21st December.
Local businesses wishing to offer donations, support in kind, or organise a fundraising event are asked to contact [email protected]
