Lincoln Pride "facing cancellation" without extra funding and support
Organisers say that £85,000 is required to run the event in August
Lincoln Pride is facing cancellation unless extra funding is gathered to secure the event's future, organisers have said.
The event, which marks Lincolnshire's largest LGBTQ+ festival, is free to attend, but has been struggling to raise money to put the festival on in the summer.
Organisers of the event have already campaigned to raise £50,000 for the event, but admitted that securing sponsors for the festival has been more difficult due to the financial crisis.
In a post uploaded to their social media, the organisers said: "his year, many of our usual sponsors are unfortunately unable to help due to budget constraints. Despite our best efforts, we’ve exhausted all other options. We have no choice but to turn to the community that makes Lincoln Pride so powerful.
“Lincoln Pride costs over £85,000 to run – but our fundraising target is £50,000, and we believe we can reach it together. We know that £50,000 might sound like a lot – but if every person who attended last year donated just £10, we’d more than exceed our goal.
“Last year, Pride brought together over 8,500 people, making it one of Lincoln’s busiest free-to-attend events. It’s more than a celebration – it’s a crucial space for visibility, inclusion and community.
“Pride shows that LGBTQ+ people exist, belong, and will not be erased. But we need your help to make it happen in 2025.”
Councillors in Lincoln have said that the Pride event being pulled would be "absolutely heartbreaking".
“I’ve been quite a few times both in a personal capacity and as a city councillor, and the atmosphere is always amazing – it feels fun, friendly, inclusive and safe," Liberal Democrat councillor Natasha Chapman said.
“It’s so important not just for Lincoln but for places around that don’t have their own Pride events.
“It would be lovely to keep it free – some of the big events like Manchester Pride have become ticketed, and we don’t want to go down that route in Lincoln.
“I’m hopeful the event will be able to hit their fundraising goal. It would be a big loss for the city if it doesn’t go ahead.”