Pride faces £50,000 fund deficit

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/8203945.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Brighton Pride lost thousands of pounds and may have to be scaled back if a potential £50,000 deficit cannot be filled, its organisers have warned.

The shortfall has been blamed on appalling weather, higher running costs and the recession.

The charity has started a fund-raising drive and says the 2010 event will be a lot smaller if it does not raise the£50,000 by the end of the year.

Pride is organised by the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans-sexual communities.

Yvonne Barker, of Brighton Pride, said: "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."

'Contribute nothing'

She added: "While many enjoy Pride as a free event, it 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."

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Brighton on 1 August for the annual parade through the city.

It was the highlight of the week-long Pride festival, which has featured more than 100 events.

The theme for this year's event, which featured more than 50 floats, was "Pride beside the seaside".