‘It will be amazing to feel the excitement’

What a year that was for a South Shields mum who got her dream come true 5 years ago this month - of running away with the circus.

Karima Mohamed from South Shields who always wanted a job with the circus. | sg

placeholder image — Karima Mohamed from South Shields who always wanted a job with the circus. | sg

Karima Mohamed’s biggest wish looked set to become a reality in 2021 after years of thinking it may never happen.

The Laygate, resident spent years dreaming of becoming a circus performer after being inspired by the ‘magic’ of the shows she saw when touring circuses visited the region.

The 33-year-old had aspired to be an aerial silk performer, but after sustaining wrist injury and with circus opportunities being so rare, she began to think her hopes had been dashed.

But a Shields Gazette report from 5 years ago today said: “Now Karima has been offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with Planet Circus, travelling with the show when it tours the country for its 2022 season, starting early next year.”

Planet Circus owner Tanya Mack hired Karima Mohamed from South Shields. | sg

Karima gave an interview to the Gazette that year and said: “ "Tanya Mack and Pavel Pavlov own Planet Circus and I’ve known Tanya for 15 years after we met at her dad’s circus called ‘Uncle Sam's Great American Circus’, when it used to come to the North East.

"When she set up her own circus and would come up here, every time I would ask; ‘have you got any jobs going?’”

No positions were ever available but when the circus came to South Shields, Karima was finally told there may be a job for her.

Planet Circus owner Tanya Mack welcomed Karima Mohamed from South Shields into the circus family. | sg

Karima was undergoing a trial week when her story made Shields Gazette headlines in July 2021.

Karima said at the time:"It will be an experience! It will be amazing to feel the excitement.

"Whether you are in the show or not, everyday is different. It is my dream job – it’s definitely not 9-5! It’s really exciting.”

Jo McMullan, admin secretary for Planet Circus, said in 2021: “Every time we came to South Shields Karima would come to the show and ask if there were any jobs going.

"Every time we didn’t have any vacancies, but this year we need office and advertising staff. She is going to do a trial week to see how she gets on and then maybe she will run away with the circus!”

We would love to catch up with Karima and see how her circus dream unfolded. Get in touch and tell us more by emailing [email protected]