The big top is coming to Bishops Itchington with a life-saving mission, bringing world-class circus magic to help fund the Aylesford and Rigby Cancer Units at South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust.
Paul Tandy's Inspiring Mission
In 2024, Paul Tandy was diagnosed with bowel cancer and received treatment at the hospital over the next 18 months, culminating in major surgery. While recovering, he set himself the challenge to raise his treatment costs through a fundraiser. However, the final rough estimate for his entire treatment was around £150,000.
A discussion about this almost impossible target with the owners of James Richards Circus, a client of Paul's graphic design business, sparked an amazing fundraising opportunity. Paul recalled: "I was lying in the recovery ward after my operation when a text message came through: 'If we gave you our circus for the weekend, could you raise funds for the hospital with it?'"
Circus Performances Details
On May 9 and 10, 2025, the clowns, jugglers, acrobats, and the big top will roll into the Little Hill Events Field in Bishops Itchington. Tickets are available at £10 per person through Ticket Source, and all proceeds (minus the online booking fee) will be donated to the SWFT Charity to support future cancer patients.
Paul has also set up a JustGiving page for those who cannot attend but wish to donate.
Community Support
A spokesperson for SWFT Charity expressed gratitude: "We would like to say a huge thank you to James Richards Circus and Paul Tandy for organizing these amazing circus shows in aid of our Aylesford and Rigby Cancer Units. These shows are guaranteed to be fantastic family fun, and we are so grateful for the effort and generosity displayed by everyone involved. Don't miss out and grab your tickets!"
To book tickets, visit the Ticket Source link. To donate, visit the JustGiving page.
