Launched in 2016, Pay It Forward is a fundraising initiative which enables local children and families who are experiencing disadvantage to attend our Christmas panto for free. Over the years, the initiative has evolved and we are proud that, since 2024, Pay It Forward now enables local children, young adults, families and community groups experiencing disadvantage and/or identifying as an under-represented characteristic group to attend our Christmas panto and other select shows throughout the year for free.

When at the Tron for the Christmas pantomime experience, beneficiaries receive an ice cream, and we also offer groups an option of a pre-panto visit and/or workshop in their own venue to meet the team in advance of the theatre trip. Pay It Forward workshops explore the traditions of panto and specifically for 2025, we are offering a Gallus in Weegieland Crafternoon Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

For productions throughout the year, we link in with our Tronversations project, offering light touch conversation starters and activities exploring the main themes and ideas of each show.

Since we launched the Pay it Forward scheme, we have raised over £121,000 and gifted free tickets to over 3800 people.

Over the years we have worked with a diverse range of local charities and community groups to involve their service users including NSPCC, Scottish Refugee Council, Down Syndrome Scotland, Women’s Aid, SAY Women, Saheliya, LGBT Youth Glasgow, Marie Curie, Move On, Geeza Break, Everlasting Foodbank, PEEK, Quarriers, Turning Point, Kickin’ On, Govanhill Roma Youth Group, Royston Youth Action Group, National Autistic Society, Enable Glasgow and FASS (Families Affected by Alcohol and Substance Abuse), Cranhill Development Trust, Ferguslie Men’s Support Group, Glasgow North East Carers Centre, Parkhead Youth Project, Tollcross YMCA, Who Cares? Scotland, Blue Triangle. Lodging House Mission, Creative Change Collective and New Young Peers Scotland.

We raise the vast majority of funds through public bucket collections and online donations at point of sale for tickets. Thanks to our very generous audiences that support Pay It Forward we can continue to ensure our audience represents the rich and diverse social and economic landscape of Glasgow.

We also receive support, either cash or in-kind donations from local businesses. For 2024 we thank GAP Group for their continued support. If you are a local business interested in supporting Pay if Forward contact Creative Learning Manager, Lisa Keenan: lisa.keenan@tron.co.uk

You can read our latest Pay It Forward Impact Report here.

PAY IT FORWARD FACTS

• Over £121,000 RAISED IN TOTAL
• 3800 TICKETS DONATED
• 3500 ICE CREAMS EATEN
• 1900+ GOODY BAGS GIFTED
• 98 DIFFERENT CHARITIES AND COMMUNITY GROUPS INVOLVED

Applications for this year’s panto Gallus in Weegieland are currently open until Friday September 26th.  

If you are interested in applying for your group then please CLICK HERE.

TO DONATE TO PAY IT FORWARD CLICK HERE, AND SELECT THE PAY IT FORWARD 2026 FUND

TRON THEATRE IS A REGISTERED CHARITY (SC012081). EACH YEAR WE MUST RAISE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO COVER OUR COSTS.