Cheltenham Paint Festival saved after £15,000 raised
Founder Andy Dice Davies says "the people have spoken" and the street art festival is back on
A fundraiser set up by Cheltenham local Emma Bright has bridged the £15,000 funding gap for the Cheltenham Festival.
It's founder, Andy Dice Davis, says he was left "flabbergasted, I certainly never expected it to reach its target, so for it to reach it in less than two days
"100% it will be back on, the people have spoken, I've got no choice.
"After such amazing generosity I couldn't turn around and go 'I'm not going to run it this year, it's got to be done".
More than 125 from around the world are welcomed to Cheltenham to cover its walls with elaborate designs.
The Cheltenham Paint Festival isn't the only one of its kind struggling with funding, with major events like Upfest and Bring the Paint unable to go ahead.
Now organiser Andy Dice Davis says " without those (UpFest and Bring the Paint), we will one of the biggest in the county."
With £15,000 now raised, Andy wants to focus on securing future years, "Getting funding in early is the key.
"That enables us to apply for other pots of funding as we can say 'we've got this, it will definitely go ahead, can you support us further?'
"But it also allows us to book up the biggest artists in the world.
"People book them for festivals to all around the word, so to get them in early and to book them in early you've got to guarantee it is going ahead."
The dates for the Cheltenham Paint Festival are yet to be announced.