£50k debt puts Brighton Pride future in doubt
August 17th, 2009
Brighton Pride must find £50,000 in four months to pay off unexpected debts, organisers have announced. If the debts are not paid there may not be a gay pride in Brighton in 2010.
Organisers are blaming the deficit on increasing costs of the event and the poor weather on the weekend of the Parade, which led to lower than expected donations on the day. The general economic downturn is also thought to have contributed to the financial difficulties.
If £50,000 is not raised by December 2009 organisers warn that there will be no free gay pride event in Brighton on the same scale in 2010.
“While many enjoy Pride as a free event, it costs us more than £300,000 to stage,” said Pride Chair, Yvonne Barker.
“We are a charity and rely on the generosity of local businesses and individuals, who raise much needed funds. However, the truth is that there are many more businesses in the city - both straight and LGBT run - that benefit enormously from the Pride festivities and yet contribute nothing towards the running costs. We will be approaching those businesses for donations, as well as going back to our traditional supporters for help.”
“The message is clear,” said Barker. “if we are unable to raise sufficient funds to cover the expected shortfall, we will need to seriously scale back next year’s Pride festivities and reduce the support we are able to give to local LGBT community groups.”
Brighton Pride organisers are planning a series of fundraising events in the next few months, and an online fundraising page has also been created.
Over 160,000 people attended Brighton Pride 2009.
comments