Animated film raises thousands for Shelter Scotland

A Scottish author's poignant tale of generosity and kindness has raised £2,262 to help the homeless.

Article Source: Shelter Scotland
Last Updated: 28 February 2024 12:33

Angela Proctor’s story, of a little dog who guards a rough sleeper, was shown as an animated festive film - Arthur’s Christmas Tale - in independent cinemas across the country last December.

Cinemagoers moved by the heartwarming encounter with Arthur, the little pug, got the chance to donate to Shelter Scotland either through a QR code or collections tins. And patrons from Oban to Dumfries and Galloway responded.

Angela, from Glasgow’s East End, writes under the name AH Proctor and is best known for her Thumble Tumble series of stories for children. She initially created Arthur’s Christmas Tale as a poem, highlighting kindness and homelessness, for schoolchildren doing a charity sleep-in.

It told of a brave little dog, watching over his homeless master sleeping rough on cardboard in the snow. When Arthur meets the cold-hearted Jack Frost, who despises Christmas, he wins over the Scrooge-like stranger, giving him his only possession – a shiny white bone – and demonstrating the true spirit of Christmas.

The poem was so successful that Angela decided to turn it into a short film to raise funds to fight homelessness. It was shown during trailers throughout December and Angela, also a successful businesswoman, mentor and mother, is delighted with its reception.

“The message really seems to have resonated with audiences and I’m thrilled that this simple story of kindness has elicited such a response from cinemagoers. I’d like to thank everyone who put their hand in their pocket at a time of year which can be a strain on finances. It is enormously appreciated.”

Sharryn McKelvie, Shelter Scotland Senior Community Fundraising Area Manager said: “Angela came up with a wonderful initiative which has really touched people and we’re most grateful for the support of all those who donated. We can’t fight the threat of homelessness alone and it helps immensely to know that others want to do their bit to try to alleviate the devastating impact the housing emergency has on people and society.”

As of 31 March 2023, there were 15,039 households in temporary accommodation, 9,595 of them children, the highest number recorded. Between April 2022 and March 2023 another 32,242 households became homeless – the equivalent of a household losing their home every 16 minutes.

In making the film Angela wanted to support art in Scotland by ensuring that all those involved came from small, aspiring Scottish companies. She worked with Glasgow-based independent animation studio Clubhouse Animations and StrangeWorx Productions.

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