'Amazing' donations mean Pride event can go ahead

Scunthorpe Pride says its event will go ahead this summer after donations filled a shortfall in its funding.

In March, organisers said they were short of £20,000 and called for help to prevent the event being cancelled.

Beckie Stephen, Scunthorpe Pride's vice-chairwoman, said the public's reaction to a social media appeal for donations had been "amazing" and "heartwarming".

The event will take place on 29 August, between11:00 and 19:00 BST.

The event, which was first held in 2023, secured funding from the National Lottery in previous years but was turned down this time. Other funding applications were also rejected, Stephen said.

But organisers raised the required money through a GoFundMe page as well as through further support from sponsors.

"We had one donation of £500, a couple of £100, but all the really small donations are what's made the biggest amount of difference because it built up," Stephen said.

The day will start with a parade in the town centre, and there will be a fun fair and a food market.

"Scunthorpe as a whole has a lot of low-income families, so providing a free day like this for everyone to come and enjoy the music just does really mean so much," Stephen said.

"The way the public responded to us was so heartwarming, and it was amazing."

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