Charity birthday bash was a top-notch act for sprightly June
JUNE O’Brien proved she knew how to party - when she turned her 80th birthday party into a circus-themed extravaganza.
The former acrobat, who can still do the splits, enjoyed a day to remember including clowns, contortionists and lion tamers in a bid to raise money for Francis House Childrens Hospice.
June had told her family she did not want any presents but instead the family requested donations for the charity and more than £300 was raised on the night.
June, from Romiley began her own circus career more than 60 years ago while living in her native Brighton and Hove following a chance meeting with a man at a bus stop.
June, who was a dance enthusiast ended up joining an acrobatic troupe called Trio-Sylvani and landed an audition and role touring the UK with Chipperfield’s Circus.
She said: “When I first met him, he told me he needed a new partner because a young lady in the group was going to leave.
“He asked me to go up the next day and see what went on in the act and have an audition - so I went with my dad and I had to practise to take over when the other girl was leaving.
“A lot of it was supporting two men - I had to practice doing the splits with him putting his weight on me.
“And then that weekend I went off with the circus - my dad said I could go, and I’m quite surprised he let me, although I did learn a lot.
“I must admit, I probably wouldn’t have let my daughter go off like that.
“Then we went off to Hastings which was our first destination.
All the details will be in my autobiography as I’ve now started that.”
June’s fundraising bash was a great success complete with a cowboy knife-thrower, juggler and even some singers from the X Factor.
The surprise party was organised by her four daughters and eight granddaughters at Stockport’s Alma Lodge Hotel.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to Francis House can go through June’s family’s online fundraising page http://make-a-donation. org/fundraisers/nanajune-s-80th#