Flying the flag for Scotland in the city that never sleeps

A group of young performers from Wishaw and Shotts are set to march on Broadway as they take part in a Scottish celebration.

The youngsters who all attend Go Kids Scotland Performing Arts group in Wishaw will be flying to New York to take part in Tartan Week.

A 19-strong group including parents, led by Go Kids principal Garry King, will take to the streets and stage when they visit the Big Apple in April.

The nine youngsters in the troupe will be part of the 24th annual Tartan Day Parade as it makes its way through Manhattan on April 9 next year.

It’s a day of recognition of Scottish and Scottish-American contributions to the United States.

Accompanying adults are funding their own trips to the US but Go Kids have been busy holding fundraising events over the last year to pay for the young performers’ trips – but are still some way short of their total.

Garry, who is currently directing and performing in panto in East Renfrewshire, is hoping that local businesses may be able to help the group out financially.

He said: “I’ve been fundraising for the kids to go but the parents who wanted to go have had to fund it themselves.

“I w a s o v e r a t Ta r t a n We e k myself two years ago and the North Lanarkshire Pipe Band were there and it was amazing to see them.

“We were just looking at different opportunities and we floated a few things – Disneyland Paris, or down to London, but to be honest the cost wasn’t that different.

“A lot of families in our area just can’t afford to take their kids to New York.

“We made sure that the decision of who was going wouldn’t depend on their parents’ bank balance or family situation.

“We wanted to make it open to everyone. We’re doing everything we can to make it happen and some local businesses including Tesco and Asda have donated some stuff.

“It’s been hard. Our type of group, I don’t think a lot of people in our area get what we’re doing.

“There are about 40 different football teams but people don’t get what we do. If we could get some more groups and businesses involved, it would help us on our way and we’d be very grateful.”

Ta r t a n D a y h a s P r e s i d e n t i a l Proclamation and is officially on April 6 with the parade on the nearest Saturday.

It features pipe bands and thousands of tartan-clad marchers, clan representatives, and groups and associations celebrating Scottish heritage.

“On St Andrew’s Day there isn’t really that much happens here. But when I was over and you see all this Scottish stuff happening I just thought it was a great opportunity,” Garry continued.

The young people, who are all pupils at Coltness, St Aidan’s and Clyde Valley high schools, will also take on a performance of their own with a show at a venue in the city that never sleeps.

“The kids going are all studying for their SQA accredited Musical Theatre exams so to be able to go to the biggest place in the world for musical theatre made sense,” added Garry.

“It is such a massive deal getting to perform in NYC.

“The youngsters attend our theatre school every week and work on singing, dancing and acting.

“We have a group of talented and professional teachers who are working hard to get them ready”.

Go Kids is a registered charity, if you can help with their trip to America email: info@gkpa.uk or call 07961 817734.