Pride in Brighton & Hove has identified a potential financial deficit following this year’s Pride that puts a question mark over whether it will be possible to stage Pride as a free event on the same scale in 2010; as a result Pride is announcing today that it is launching a drive to raise £50,000 before the end of 2009.

Yvonne Barker, Chair of Pride in Brighton & Hove said that “Pride as a free event, costs us more than £300,000 to stage. 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, 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.”

Over the coming weeks Pride will be announcing a series of fundraising initiatives and will be reaching out to individual, business and community group supporters for donations and to tap into their own ideas to help raise money.

Those wishing to donate can do so immediately online at: www.justgiving.com/brightonpride/donate/

For more information please contact:
Pride in Brighton & Hove
6 Bartholomews
Brighton
BN1 1HG
Ph:01273 775939
E: office@brightonpride.org
W: www.brightonpride.org