Sheringham family’s circus show ‘thank you’ to force charity which helped them through a crisis

Former Royal Scot Brian Young at his passing out parade. Photo: Karen Bethell (Image: Archant)

Shortly after Royal Scots veteran Brian Young married his trapeze artist wife Donna in 1995, he began to show symptoms of Gulf War Syndrome - a serious condition affecting hundreds of thousands of veterans of the 1991 conflict.

'He had mood swings, memory loss and severe pain in his joints and muscles – there were just so many things,' Mrs Young, 45, explained.

Over the following years, Mr Young's symptoms got progressively worse, and, in 2004, the family reached crisis point.

They lost their house, ended up living in a caravan in Sea Palling and 'staying with various circus friends,' before moving to their current home in Sheringham, Mrs Young explained.

Sheringham mum-of-three Donna Young in her heyday as an international circus star. Photo: Karen Bethell (Image: Archant)

The situation got worse early this year when Mr Young, 50, suffered a heart attack and needed a quadruple bypass operation. He also has brain damage and needs constant care from the family.

The Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) came to their rescue.

Mrs Young said: 'They were amazing. We had no home, no furniture, nothing - they got everything for us and even contacted Brian's regiment, which offered to pay for carpets.'

She and her budding circus star daughter Lucinda, 16, came up with the idea of putting on the Big Top style event as a thank you to repay SAAFA for its support.

It includes a line-up juggling, dancing, aerial and contortion acts at Sheringham High School at 3.30pm and 7pm on November 29. Tickets, priced £5, are available by phoning 01263 577458 or 07770 516767.

Are you holding a charity event in north Norfolk? Contact karen.bethell@archant.co.uk