Cape Town - Members of Zip Zap Circus performed at a sold-out show on Saturday as a fund-raiser for six-year-old Jack Bain, who suffers from a neurodegenerative condition and requires 24-hour care.
Thanks to the tickets and donations from generous Capetonians, friends and supporters, R50 000 has been raised so far to pay for Jack’s treatment.
He was born with Progressive Encephalopathy with Edema, Hypsarrhythmia and Optic atrophy.
Zip Zap’s tent at Artscape was filled to capacity and children were all smiles as they were treated to 90 minutes of action by the talented members of the circus, ranging from juggling and trapeze to comedy and spinning wheels.
Wheelchair-bound Jack has seizures daily and has no control over his muscles. He goes to hospital for regular check-ups and treatment, and is fed through a tube that gets attached to his stomach.
While he is unable to communicate, and is 95 percent deaf, his parents manage to communicate with him.
During Saturday’s show Jack was lively, laughing and surrounded by other children. A member of the audience, Daniel Strand, 50, said he had learnt about Jack’s condition from a colleague.
“I brought the whole family along. Besides that, this event is for a good cause, I love circus shows, and so do the children. I could not be anywhere else (other) than here,” said Strand.
Jack’s mother Taryn went on stage to thank the audience.
“It is with great pleasure all of you are here today. We are thankful and are having fun,” she said to loud applause.
Organiser Ann Barr said she was overwhelmed by the support, adding that another fund-raising event would be organised for the Bain family.
Cape Times