Always on
This project successfully funded on 3rd December 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
Wild Wings of Hope
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
First target reached!
The stretch goal of £3,500 will allow us to include a small Seeds of Hope activity i...
Aim
Through papercraft and storytelling workshops, I aim to connect people to nature and inspire hope for the future.
Who am I, and what is the project about?
I’m Ed Harrison, the artist behind Wild Wings of Hope. My creative work brings people together to connect with nature — and with one another — through craft, conservation, and community.
This project celebrates the remarkable migration of barn swallows, butterflies, and swifts between the UK and Africa — a journey that reminds us how deeply life is connected across ecosystems and beyond borders.
Over the past year, I've been designing a series of papercut kits for people to craft in a workshop setting. I've launched this Crowdfunder to run outreach workshops with schools, hospices, and dementia-friendly groups — bringing stories of hope to the people and places that need them most.
The Storytellers
I’m collaborating with Chief Gift Amu and Cara Silversmith to shape Wild Wings of Hope into a cross-cultural project celebrating the diversity of life through papercraft, story, and song.
Together, we invite people into a safe, creative workshop space that nurtures hope and builds connections across species, cultures, and borders.
Project backstory
Wild Wings of Hope was conceived after the passing of my father, transforming personal grief into a creative exploration of interconnectedness and hope.
From childhood, my dad nurtured my love of nature and of barn swallows, which nested in the roof of our shed at my family home. On the anniversary of my dad’s passing, my family scattered his ashes in the garden—and on that very same day, the swallows returned from migration, offering a powerful symbol of hope and renewed connection to dad, who always found so much joy in their return.
Why are we crowdfunding?
With your help, Wild Wings of Hope can take flight. Your support will allow us to:
- Engage communities in learning about the migration of barn swallows, swifts, and butterflies that unite the UK and Africa — celebrating a shared biodiversity that knows no borders.
- Develop new oral narratives inspired by Celtic and African folklore, sharing stories of hope and unity.
- Create lasting resources — including papercut kits, mobiles, and teaching materials — to continue inspiring others long after the workshops end.
Your support means more people can experience stories of hope, connection, and the wonders of nature.
How we’ll spend the money raised
Here’s where your donations will go:
- Prototyping ‘Swift Kits’ – a new papercut species in addition to the barn swallow, bringing even more accessible craft activities into care settings.
- 2026 workshops – help covering travel, facilitation, and materials for craft and storytelling sessions.
- Cross-continental exchange – participants in Africa and the UK will post paper birds to one another, tracing the migration routes to create collaborative ‘mobiles of hope’ — symbols of unity and connection.
- Website development to launch a new site that allows people to share their own messages of hope with the world.
- Outreach and partnership building to grow the project’s reach and impact.
- Packaging and posting rewards to thank you for your support.
Every pound raised will directly support our project and enable Wild Wings of Hope to succeed.
Our rewards
→ As a thank you for supporting our project, please choose one of our nature-inspired gifts →
Scroll down to the rewards area to make a donation and select an artwork bundle by Ed Harrison, inspired by flying insects and birds — a celebration of hope and unity.
Card bundles
Postcards, greetings cards, and stickers celebrating barn swallows, flying insects, and swifts.
Fine art prints (A3) – choice of 3
Choose your own signed and numbered limited edition artwork: Barn Swallow Flock (left), HOPE (centre), and Swifts In Flight (right).
Framed papercut moths – choice of 3
A delicate, handcrafted celebration of moths. Choose between the Garden Tiger Moth, Elephant Hawk-moth, and Death's Head Hawkmoth.
Papercut barn swallow kit
Build your own barn swallow and hang it in your home as a symbol of hope and good luck.
Framed papercut barn swallow
Signed and numbered limited edition artwork, presented in a box frame.
Craft workshops (available in-person or online)
An exclusive Wild Wings of Hope experience with artist Ed Harrison — a creative, hands-on papercraft workshop designed for your school, team, or community group.
How you can help
There are three simple ways to get involved and support our project:
1. Back the Project
Text here about the artwork and rewards that have been crafted a gifts...
2. Spread the word
Share our project with friends, family and your wider network. The more people we reach, the more likely we are to succeed.
3. Stay up to date
As the project evolves, we'll be sharing updates. For now, the best way to stay up to date is to sign up for Ed's newsletter or follow him on Instagram.
FAQ
1. When will I receive my gift?
Ed has designed a series of beautiful, handcrafted rewards for all supporters. Because these are made by hand, it may take a few months to create and ship them. Don’t worry—Ed will keep you updated along the way.
2. Can I change my pledge or reward choice?
Yes! You can increase your pledge or switch to a different reward tier before the campaign ends.
3. What if my postal address changes?
No problem. Make sure to update your details on Crowdfunder (or contact Ed directly) before rewards are sent out, and we’ll make sure your reward gets to you.
4. Do you ship internationally?
Yes! Ed can ship rewards worldwide. Shipping costs are included in each reward tier.
5. What materials are used in the rewards?
All rewards and packaging are made using eco-friendly materials wherever possible. Papercraft pieces use high-quality and sustainable Fedrigoni paper, and all items are handcrafted and packaged with care.
7. Are workshops suitable for children?
Absolutely! Our workshops are interactive and designed for all ages, combining storytelling, art, and learning about nature.
8. Can I attend a workshop without donating?
Yes! Ed, Gift Amu, and Cara will be running Wild Wings of Hope workshops open to the public at the National Museum of Scotland. Everyone is welcome to join, whether or not you donate.
Got a question or want to know more? I would love to hear from you—drop me a line at [email protected].
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made