A woman who went viral after being filmed dancing through the streets as a Christmas tree has been dubbed “the dancing queen of Pollokshields” by Nicola Sturgeon.

Originally from Philadelphia in the US, Kate E Deeming, 47, has lived in Glasgow for more than 20 years.

The dance artist was recognised by the Scottish Parliament for her contribution to dance in 2010, and she said the First Minister has “always been a fan”.

That much became apparent when Ms Sturgeon shared a video of Ms Deeming brightening people’s day by dancing while dressed as a Christmas tree through the streets of Pollokshields, in the southside of Glasgow, raising money for local primary schools as she went.

Ms Sturgeon tweeted: “The dancing queen of Pollokshields @SunriseDances – spreading joy, and fundraising for @pollokshieldsps along the way.”

Ms Deeming is one of a number of people raising money for her son Jasper’s school Pollokshields Primary.

But with the £5,000 target reached, additional funds will go to three other local primary schools.

Ms Deeming told the PA news agency: “I’m a single parent, I really rely on my son’s school.

“During this pandemic they’ve been amazing in providing emotional as well as psychological and physical and educational support, and he just loves going to school.

“I think the fact that he loves going to school is a testament to how amazing they are. So I wanted to do something for them because they’ve not had any fundraisers.”

Local people have been invited to walk, run or dance a number of routes designed by Pollokshields Primary to raise money, and Ms Deeming decided she would join in by completing 50km dressed as a festive fir.

A clip of her dancing down the pavement has been viewed more than 900,000 times on Twitter, and Ms Deeming said she has seen how much people need a bit of joy while completing her challenge.

“I see when I’m out there how much people need it,” she said.

“There’s been so much focus on all this fear and all the sadness from the past year, and I get that.

“We need to find ways to bring that sense of joy back into our lives.

“We can be happy, we can be silly. Just because I’m living light, doesn’t mean I’m taking things lightly.”

To view Ms Deeming’s fundraising page, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/verymerrypollokshields.