Scunthorpe's summer Pride celebration will take place as planned on 29 August after organisers said a shortfall in funding was met through public donations and sponsor support. The event had faced cancellation after being told it lacked around £20,000 to run this year.
Community contributions fill the gap
Organisers launched an appeal in March following the rejection of a National Lottery application and other funding bids. They turned to a GoFundMe campaign and approached local sponsors; the response, they say, has been decisive.
“The way the public responded to us was so heartwarming, and it was amazing.”
Beckie Stephen, vice-chairwoman of Scunthorpe Pride, highlighted the role of many smaller donations alongside larger gifts. She said the campaign received a variety of contributions — modest sums that accumulated and a handful of bigger donations — which together allowed the committee to confirm the event.
What to expect on the day
The free-to-attend celebration will run from 11:00 to 19:00 BST and will begin with a parade through the town centre. Alongside the procession, the programme will include a fun fair and a food market suitable for families.
- Date: 29 August
- Time: 11:00–19:00 BST
- Main attractions: parade, fun fair, food market
- Entry: free for attendees
Local context and importance
Scunthorpe Pride was first held in 2023 and has relied on a mixture of lottery funding and local support in previous years. Organisers stressed the importance of keeping the event free, noting that many families in the area are on limited incomes and that a free day out helps ensure the celebration remains accessible.
Stephen pointed out that, while larger donations were welcome and helped, the steady trickle of smaller gifts made a substantial difference to the final total. The combination of crowdfunding and sponsor contributions gave the committee the confidence to go ahead with plans for the summer.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding shortfall | £20,000 (reported) |
| Funding sources used | GoFundMe, sponsors, small public donations |
| Event date | 29 August, 11:00–19:00 BST |
Organisers have not published a full breakdown of the final amounts raised by source, but have thanked the local community and businesses for their support. With the funds now in place, preparations will move ahead for what the committee hopes will be a vibrant and inclusive day in the town centre.
Further details about the parade route, stall holders and accessibility arrangements are expected to be released by the Pride committee in the coming weeks.
