Appeal for donations as Leicester Pride hits funding crisis

The event, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday 2 September and came 1st Runner-up in the Best Midlands Pride Event category of the Midlands Zone Readers' Awards, attracts more than 10,000 people each year.

Martyn Parker, Chairman of Leicester Pride, commented on the news: "Unless we can guarantee to raise at least £10,000 there is genuine concern that this year's event will not take place.

"It costs roughly £30,000 to stage the event each year, but in the next couple of weeks were need to secure at least £10,000 to secure payments for essential infrastructure."

The money is used to secure a main stage on Victoria Park as well as staffing costs for stewarding, health and safety, policing and more.

The event is paid for by major sponsors such as Leicester City Council as well as smaller, local businesses.

Martyn continued: "This is not about council funding cuts. Leicester City Council has been brilliant to us over the years and continue to be one of our biggest supporters.

"We have a variety of other sponsors, some of whom will be with us one year but not the next.

"The issue this year is the timing of this year's donations and sponsorship. Usually, by the end of March everything is in place and we can say to everyone 'yes, this year's event will be taking place'.

"But we can't do that at the moment."

If you’d like to support Leicester Pride, then text PRDE22 £2 to 70070.

source: http://www.midlandszone.co.uk/news/appeal-for-donations-as-leicester-pride-hits-funding-crisis/13391