Circus acts and hampers bring smiles to vulnerable Sussex families during lockdown

A small Sussex charity has been bringing joy to vulnerable families across the county with hampers, flowers and takeaways – delivered with the help of a circus performer.
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Charity circus and hamnpers 1 SUS-201105-115043001

Brighton based Forward Facing provides magical experiences for children and young people with life-threatening conditions, or who have experienced bereavement and has been helping to put a smile on faces with circus acts and gifts during the lockdown.

Circus performer Toxish Doyle accompanied her family and Forward Facing director Candice Konig, as they delivered hampers to 42 households across the county, from Burgess Hill to Eastbourne and in the Brighton are, inspiring families with her amazing hula hoop tricks.

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“It was very emotional to see the joy on the children’s faces as they watched Toxish and enjoyed their gifts,” said Candice Konig, director of Forward Facing.

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Charity circus and hampers 2 SUS-201105-111606001

“These are tough times for everyone, but for a family whose child has a life-threatening illness, it is truly hard. They are isolated from the additional support of extended family and the therapies they would normally benefit from. For some, parents have been separated as one looks after a child in hospital while the other cares for the siblings at home. Anything we can do to bring a little light into their lives right now is really important.”

The charity has received donations from many Sussex businesses to enable it to fill hampers, including food from Sainsbury’s store in New England Street, Brighton, and organic free-range eggs from The Mac’s Farm in Ditchling.

There was also no limit to Toxish’s talents as she joined members of East Clayton Farm near Washington to make a total of 120 face masks for the Forward Facing families.

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“The generosity of companies, the local community, and individuals, especially our trustee Natasha Penney, has been inspirational – especially as they too are going through difficult times but are still finding inner strength to help others. Everyone at Forward Facing is extremely grateful,” added Candice.

The charity is now providing help on a bespoke basis to families during the COVID-19 lockdown and beyond, including support, donations and creating `date’ nights for exhausted parents with takeaways and flowers.

To find out more about Forward Facing, visit www.forwardfacing.co.uk.

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