Pride fundraiser ‘last-ditch effort’ to save Lincoln event

The organisers of a Pride event say a fundraiser which launched this week is a ‘last-ditch effort’ to save the event.

They are hoping to raise £50,000 for the annual LGBT+ festival in Lincoln after their usual sponsorship money dried up.

The event is held in Tentercroft Street car park in August each year, with more than 8,000 people attending in 2024.

The committee behind the event has just a few months to decide what will happen this year.

Aaron Hart, one of the organisers, says it’s crucial that money comes in as soon as possible for the event to be held in its current form.

“Costs have been going up for years while funding has been going down.

“Unfortunately, companies have had to make really hard decisions which mean they can’t give the same level of sponsorship that they have previously,” he said.

“This is our last-ditch effort, our swan song. We’ve effectively barely got any funding so far.

“In the 24 hours since we’ve launched the fundraiser, we’ve raised over £2,000 which is incredible – including one amazing anonymous donation for £1,000.

“If anybody could help supply infrastructure, that would also be immensely helpful in keeping the costs down.”

The cost of renting portaloos has risen to more than £4,000, and security and fencing now set the festival back £6,000 each.

The festival is in its 11th year, and donations can be made through its website.

“Lincoln Pride has gone from a passion project with 500 people to a huge event that had over 8,000 last year,” Aaron said.

“Going to my first Pride event was so empowering for me as a teenager when I knew I was queer but hadn’t told anybody. It let me know I wasn’t alone.

“We need Pride more than ever at a time when we seem to be going backwards with the Supreme Court ruling on transgender people.

“We are hoping and praying. I believe it will go ahead in some form, but it might not necessarily be the festival on Tentercroft Street. We will give Lincoln something to celebrate.”