We caught up with long-time friend of Run-Riot Marawa the Amazing to hear about her recent brush with fame on Britain's Got Talent, her charity work overseas and how hoops make the world go round. Photos by Jo Duck

RR:Tell us about your work with charities overseas?

MTA: Yes I have just got back from Nepal where I was working with Sapana Circus - a group that works with rescued Nepalese children that were been sold to circuses at a very young age. the group rescues the children from indian circuses and then bring them to a refuge in Nepal. the kids then have the option to keep training if they want to. I taught the hoop girls of course - but I also taught the whole group a bunch of jump rope tricks - this was great because I could see them improving every session - I hope I can go back and work with them next year. Working with the Hoop girls was really bizarre - we had SUCH different lives yet were basically doing the same job - so so strange - I was really happy to work with them and teach them as much as I could.

RR: You spoke on R4’s Women’s hour last summer about doing work in Africa – can you jog my memory?

MTA:When I went to Somalia in 2008 I took the 120 hoops with me, and I took them to 2 circuses and an orphanage - I was really excited to find that they had a circus program in somalia - and I really wanted to be able to stay and work with them but it was just impossible as a 'unaccompanied/non-somali-speaking/half australian' woman! I have kept in contact with them though and I saved some performing money and sent them a huge bunch of equipment when I got back to london.. the DHL costs were almost as much as all the equipment! but it got there in the end!

RR:What other ‘good deed’ work have you been doing?

MTA: Oh - this has been the year for it!! haha, I ran a 3 month learn to skate project in Blackpool (my spiritual home) The lessons were free and I organised some of the best skaters in the UK ( and world) to come and teach - it was an exhuasting project but I was really glad we pulled it off and taught over 700 kids to skate - I am hoping to try and expand it to other towns next year, give the kids something to do!

RR: Who are your favourite performers?

MTA: Bob Bramson. Tandi Iman Dupree. Both legends. Bramson is the most entertaining juggler of all time, Tandi.. just type her name into youtube..

RR:You always look really bright and colourful when you're hooping-where do you get your stage outfits from?

MTA: I get them made, nothing ever fits me otherwise .. I usually have a clear idea about what I want, colours and style.. I cant sew but I LOVE shopping for the fabrics!!

RR: Tell us about your experience on Britain's got Talent.

MTA: HI-LA-RIOUS. It was a great way to get exposure and when I made it through to the semi finals I was so happy because then I was able to say: For my next act I would like dancing boys, pyrotechnic hoola hoops, a full swarovski costume etc etc... and they made it happen! In saying that its terrifying how those shows work - and I would only recommend it if you LOVE cheese and and playing the game of commercial television.

RR: How do Hula’s make the world go round?

MTA: Digestion? I dont know. They make me go around the world that is for sure. Ok. Everytime I explain to people what I do they smile. And when I teach people they always laugh. Laughing is a very important thing, maybe one of the top 3 important things of all time. And definitely makes the world go round - so if hoops make you laugh then that is how they make the world go round

COMPETITION: Win one of Marawa's amazing hoops!Just tell us who Marawa played in the Spegielworld production of Desir last year in NYC . Send your answers to katie@run-riot.com .Winner will be picked at random.Please also specify which colour you would like. The prize hoop is Adult size.