In 2020 & 2021 the dancing Christmas Tree boogied a joyous total of 172 km to raise funds for fun stuff for the kids at local schools (Pollokshields Primary, Glendale, Gleann Dail, St. Alberts). Those funds provided super experiences for children who had faced great challenges and trauma during lockdowns. From a resident circus school, to aerial workshops, to a mahoosive climbing walls and inflatables being set up in the school yard, to a whole school trip to see the Lion King the kids were gifted with experiences that brought laughter to their lives and created lifelong memories.

This year I am dancing TWENTY FOUR HOURS to create the Pollokshields Weekly Social. This will be a centre point for the community to meet, get a hot meal, see a film, meet a friend, make news friends, feel good and have fun!

The funds will be managed by Pollokshields Community Food Point (SC050835)working with Urban Roots & Pollokshields Mutual Aid to implement the program.

As a solo low income working Mum I feel the fuel and food crisis acutely. In addition I don't feel *I* have fully recovered from the effects of lockdown and I am one of the luckier ones. In the two years of lockdowns many of our social networks were fractured that have not bounced back. People's lives were disrupted, mental health is poor, people feel disconnected. In the face of this deficit we need to create that space we want again. The winter is looking to be a cold one physically and psychologically. Let's make some joyous spaces and experiences for people!

Thank you so much.