On November 22nd 2021, local self-employed Stonemason Jai McQueenie had a life-changing accident at work. This accident shattered Jais right leg resulting in reconstruction surgery from the knee down, including plates and over 20 pins. Jai is currently bedridden, and in the coming months, more operations are needed due to the complexity of the injury. Lengthy rehabilitation will follow, and at the moment, there is no indication as to when Jai will be able to return to work.

Jais partner, Caroline, is now Jais full-time carer, working part-time and looking after their two children, Jaiha, 15 and Ethan 9. As we can only imagine, life is pretty hard for the family, financially and emotionally.

His daughter Jaiha, is an aspiring ballerina who has been dancing since she was eight years old when the family moved to Duns. Her ultimate goal is to train at the ABT (American Ballet Theatre) in New York to become a professional dancer. In 2019 Jaiha successfully got a place at S-MB Company based in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Since then, Jaiha has attended regular classes and dances five days a week, split between Glasgow and Edinburgh, dancing roughly 15-20 hours a week, more during the summer holiday. She has achieved distinctions in all examinations to date and is awaiting her advanced 1 RAD examination results, which, if distinction is achieved, is rare at Jaihas young age. She also works Saturdays at The  Dance Shop in Edinburgh using her wage to help with travel costs towards training sessions.

The annual costs for Jaihas regular dance lessons and the bespoke training that offers dancers unique and individually tailored training with an option to work towards a teaching diploma at S-MB Company comes to £6,500.00. Also, dancers in the bespoke group get the opportunity to represent Scotland in competitions in Europe and around the world.

THIS IS WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP.

As you can see Jaiha has worked tirelessly with dedication and passion to achieve her goal. She is an unbelievably talented young lady with a promising professional career ahead. 2022/2023 are Jaihas pivotal years for training qualifications for preparing her for placement in upper ballet school. It would be heartbreaking to see her disadvantaged at this vital stage in her development only because of money. This girl lives, eats and breathes ballet.

THIS IS WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP.

We have set up the Go-Funding page to help the family fund the coming fees, and any donation/contribution towards Jaihas promising ballet career would be so gratefully received at this challenging time. Ballet is not classed as a sport. Therefore, regular funding routes are severely restricted.

Thank you for reading this; it would be amazing to see everyone get behind this young family who has fallen on hard times. I am sure at one stage or another, we have all needed the help and support of others.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

The target is £6,500.00, we know times are hard for all of us, but we believe this is achievable, and any monies over target will contribute towards uniforms, point shoes, travel, etc.

WE CAN DO THIS

Sharon and Kirstie