Brighton Pride breaks target after raising £100,000 for local LGBT causes
By Will Stroude
Celebrating the 26th year of the UK’s biggest Pride Festival, stars such as DJ Fresh, Alesha Dixon and global superstar Carly Rae Jespen stormed Preston Park on its biggest year yet, bringing the total raised for LGBT charities to over £310,000 in the last four years alone.
Organisers have announced that £90,000 was raised this year for the Rainbow Fund, with a further £10,000 being raised for the Pride Social Impact fund.
Pride’s Director, Paul Kemp, said of the news: “I am thrilled to be able to announce we have broken our fundraising target for 2016 and matched the record fundraising of our 25th anniversary year in 2015.”
The Rainbow Fund is a local grant-giving fund for local HIV/AIDS and LGBT organisations and will distribute grants to local charities, groups and good causes at The Rainbow Fund Grant Awards at the Hilton Brighton Metropole in September.
The Pride Social Impact Fund, established in only one year ago and dedicated sorely to working with local community organisations to bring social benefit and relief will open applications for grants in October with grants being awarded in early 2017.
Such high figures were announced even after Southern Railway advised Pride-goers to take alternative transport due to reduced services and strikes over the weekend.
Even though an estimated 60% of visitors travel by train and wristband figures for the Sunday pride Village Party were significantly affected, the pride parade had the biggest number of participants ever and received the best feedback from visitors.
Kemp added: “It has been a challenging year for Pride. Money raised from parade collection buckets and business contributions towards fundraising is lower this year”.
“With many businesses across the city benefiting commercially from the influx of Pride visitors it remains disappointing that more don’t help with the fundraising effort.”
With Pride reporting that it brings an estimated £18 million to the economy and showing no signs of slowing down, the very is bright for the Festival who’s mantra includes ‘Protesting, Parading and Partying’ and hopefully contribution from local businesses is only set to grow.
Celebrators enjoyed popstars, DJ’s, Fairground rides and even a Dog Show as part of the event; we’re all eagerly awaiting how organisers will top Britain’s biggest LGBT festival next year.
Full information for Brighton & Hove festival along with it’s charitable efforts can be found on their website.