GIFFORDS Circus are reaching the closing stages of their 2016 tour Painted Wagon, and will be arriving in Stratton Meadows, Cirencester on September 8.

They have also announced that all the proceeds from the closing show at 5pm on Sunday, September 25 at Fennells Farm, Stroud, will be donated to Maggie’s Cheltenham.

This is a charity close to the circus’ heart. Giffords Circus co-founder, Nell Gifford has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer and has benefited from the support of Maggie’s Cheltenham Cancer Care Centre.

Nell Gifford said: “Maggie’s have been hugely beneficial to my journey and the support they offered me at a tough time was invaluable. Cancer is something that touches each and every one of us in some way – almost all of us have a friend or family member or someone we hold dear who’s been treated for the disease. We’re passionate about helping Maggie’s to continue to help others.

"The resources and care the centre in Cheltenham offers is phenomenal and offers a healing environment of support. I hope Giffords Circus fans and newcomers alike will be out in force to dig deep and raise a fantastic figure for the charity, ending The Painted Wagon tour on an almighty high.”

Maggie’s Cancer Care offers free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends. Maggie’s Cheltenham Care Centre is found on College Baths Road and is a place with professional staff on hand to offer the support people need.

Giffords Circus’ The Painted Wagon has been touring Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, entertaining audiences with this original whip-crackin’ horse-wranglin’ hell-raisin’ Wild West extravaganza.

Directed by the critically acclaimed Cal McCrystal, The Painted Wagon invites audiences to a spectacle of eye-catching acrobatics and aerialists from far and distant lands, dancing horses, bounty hunting and gold panning, all to the beat of the “Dodge City” Giffords Circus saloon band.

  •  The Painted Wagon is at Stratton Meadows, Cirencester from September 8-19. Go to giffordscircus.com or the Box Office on 0845 459 7469 for tickets.
  • The Painted Wagon comes to a close in September. Giffords Circus’ charity performance will take place on Sunday, September 25 at 5pm at Fennells Farm, Lypiatt, Stroud. Tickets are priced at £22 for adults and £14 for children age 3 – 14; under 3’s go free if sitting on a lap. This includes a hog roast for which donations can be made. All proceeds from this performance go to Maggie’s Cheltenham Cancer Care Centre. Go to giffordscircus.com or the Box Office on 0845 459 7469 for tickets.