£32m raised to help Hull host UK City of Culture
There's just a week to go until the full programme of events for Hull 2017 are announced.
£32m in funding has been raised to help Hull stage next year's UK City of Culture celebrations.
Hull 2017 originally said £18m was needed to sucessfully deliver the 365-day programme of events - meaning they've exceeded their fundraising target.
The investment comes from over 60 public and private sector businesses, foundations and trusts.
Chief Executive of Hull UK City of Culture, Martin Green, says it means they can now fulfill everything they set out to do. He told Viking:
"It's a massive vote of confidence in Hull and supports the ambition to use culture to transform lives and further raise the city's profile as a place to visit, study, invest in and do business with.
"The funding for Hull 2017 enables us not only to deliver an unparalled year of culture, but to fulfill the commitment to ensure everyone living in the city has the opportunity to participate.
"68% of the funding is dedicated to public facing activities, from programming dozens of cultural events in every corner of the city, with a further 11% for legacy and contingency.
"More than £5m is being invested in volunteering, learning and community engagement. The volunteering programme has so far signed up more than 2,000 people, bringing opportunities to be at the heart of the action, make friends and develop and gain valuable experience and skills."
There's just a week to go until full programme details are announced to the public.