I would be grateful if you could send this to people in your address
book and pass it on to anyone who might be interested.
Thanks.(Ashton's mum)


JUGGLING
FUND


Dedicated, home educated 18 year old Ashton Launcherley from Wells
wants to be one of the best jugglers in the world. He learned his
circus skills by regularly attending open air summer festivals as a
child. For the last two years he has travelled daily to Circomedia in
a church in Bristol to do a BTEC in Performing Arts with a circus
bias. Ashton is enthusiastic about his physical pursuits and does not
spoil these with lots of tobacco, drink and drugs.
In September he hopes to specialise for a year in juggling alone at
the juggling space in Berlin frequented by many world class jugglers.
They spend 3 to 8 hours a day practicing and have no TV since it cuts
into practice time. Juggling patterns are intricate and vary for the
different number of objects and types of tricks. It takes a couple of
months at least to learn any decent tricks and, following a number
sequence, is similar to playing the piano. It helps with brain gym
recommended for dyslexics like Ashton.
After spending time with the best sports jugglers in the world at
the World Juggling Federation annual competition held at the British
Juggling Convention in Nottingham Ashton is well aware of what's to
aim for. The youngsters there were breaking records of previous years
and the standard is rising.
The world record in juggling is held by the American Anthony Gatto
who can juggle 7 clubs for 4 .5 minutes and 9 balls
for 3.5 minutes.
At present Ashton's technical range is: tricks with up to 5 clubs
and 7 balls including various pirouettes and most side swaps. He has
qualified (18 catches) 9 balls and qualified (12 or more catches) 6
clubs and flashed 7 clubs.
Cirque Bijou has recently recognised his talent with training and
equipment worth £250 and he has received a certificate for the highest
skill level in his year.
The jugglers have laptops and cameras to film their performances and
keep in touch round the world.
When time permits Ashton hopes to pursue his other passion in the
well equipped Berlin skateboard parks.
Quite an intensive and time consuming search have not acquired any
loans, grants or bursaries to help fund this study (and, so far, no
funds have resulted from this appeal).
Ashton, has relied on a full EMA grant till now, and is working this
summer and may be able to do some part time paid work abroad. However
he needs about £9000.
If any individual or business would like to sponsor him in his
endeavours this would be most appreciated. You may be able to think of
some advantage for yourself or your organisation from doing this (eg
advertising, product endorsements, encouragement, performance, photos,
lessons, talk). A non profit making, secure password fund has been set
up for this purpose: Juggling Fund sort code 08-92-99 account number
65253494 ---any sponsorship large or small is appreciated or if
interested please email:01749677316@... or ring 01749 677316
(mobile 0779 2657918)