My Story
My name is Lesley Graney - On the 16th August 2018, at the age of 47, I was diagnosed with Secondary Breast Cancer.
This is the story of how Random Acts of Nonsense became our family’s way to help deal with this.
Inspiration…
We first met ‘The Flying Seagulls Project’ in 2013 at the Green Man festival. I spent most of my time with the kids being entertained by this fantastically animated group of people who made a real impact on me and my children.
Founded by entertainer Ash Perrin in 2007, the Flying Seagull Project spreads love, light and laughter to hospitals, orphanages, deaf/blind schools, marginalised communities, refugee camps and slums around the world.
in the beginning…
Fast forward to 2018, we already knew I had primary breast cancer, and were drawn to the Wilderness Festival because we knew the Flying Seagulls would be there.
At a time when things were tough for us, these amazing performers pulled us into a carefree world of laughs and silliness. At the end of the festival, I thanked Bash and the team, and said for that short time, my kids had forgotten their Mum had Cancer - and that was important.
.
carpe diem…
When we were given the devastating news on the 16th August 2018 that my cancer was now secondary, Our reaction as a family was to run into the sea, seizing the moment, and this was the beginning of Random Acts of Nonsense, because for those few moments while you are creating and sharing, you can be momentarily carefree.
Random acts…
Our Random Acts of Nonsense quickly became a WhatsApp group between friends recording funny moments of silliness, then followed a series of family events, before a performance at Brighton Fringe, and now a deck of cards!
It’s a chance to jump in, be silly, capture those moments with family and friends you love - An antidote to the trials and tribulations of everyday life.
A random deck of cards…
So here they are! 52 Acts in a pack of playing cards. Two years in the making, now available from the shop, and all designed to let you get a little bit of RAON in your life whilst at home with the family!
raON DAY
16th AUGUST…
We now celebrate the birthday of Random Acts of Nonsense on the 16th August each year and we hope that you will join us!
Smile. Laugh. Create Memories
Lesley x
friends & family…
Random Acts of Nonsense would be nothing without the enthusiastic efforts of its founding members who are celebrated here in our RAON Hall of Fame!
Sally Baker, Steve Bloomer, Tracey Bell, Tony Cooke, Gail Christie, James Crane, Jose Da Silva Agrela, Sam Down, Sarah Drew, Simon Drew, Lisa Edwards, Mick Edwards, Emilie Feniuk and family, Laura Gardiner, Tracey Graney and family, Claire Gray, Lynne Gray and family, Jen Gerry and family, Dave Hall, Debbie Harwood, Annie Hewitt, Sam Hodnett, Julie House, Emily Isham and family, Siobhan Jones, Emma Lawrence and family, Annika Larksanf family, Anna Martin and family, Carole Marsh, Mark Morley, Julie Morgan and family, Sarah Philip, Vicky Rallison and family, Hannah Simon, Deb Savage, Sue Slater, Briony Seymour, Danny Spiers, Claire Wallace, Dave Wallace, Louise Wallis - Tyler, Sarah Walker and Family, Lucy Whelan, Sarah Zoutendijk and Family.
And there have been many more who have joined us on our journey since those early days….we love you all!
We would also like to say a special thanks to those who have helped us bringing this altogether with their advice, time, talent and love:
Kate & Richard Andrews (Photography)
Katie Elliott (Support)
Katherine Johnson (Macmillan)
Laurence McCahill (Happy Start Up)
Ash Perrin (The Flying Seagulls)
Natalie Walker (Logo design)
Alex Watts (Cards design)
Ellen Leckie (Chocolate Roll Genius!)