Secret £5,000 gift to help save Wolverhampton gay pride parade

The city-based LGBT network put out an appeal on its website for £9,000 to rescue the annual event.

Adam Dewitt-Bukater, who set up the GoFundMe appeal, said organisers were 'ecstatic' over the gift.

He tweeted: "How awesome is that! We are so grateful to have received this huge amount. Thank you so much, this is a massive help."

The appeal, which went online three weeks ago, had raised £748 up to that point.

Since then, Councillor Ian Brookfield has added a further £1,000 from the Mayoral Charity Fund, almost guaranteeing the event's survival.

The group organised the first LGBT Pride and Parade in Wolverhampton in 2012 and has held the event every year since, attracting 500 people to the last year's festivities, including the mayor and mayoress. The parade has also welcomed human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and other LGBT activists.

However the charity has struggled to bounce back after stringent cutbacks. Launching the appeal, the group announced that, regrettably, it was unable to go ahead with Pride 2016 unless the community and businesses pull together to help raise the money needed.

As well as offering entertainment, the event also puts on workshops, offering advice and support to the LGBT community. The charity has until the end of August to raise the remainder of the amount to give members time to organise the event by the start of October.

Martha Harkin-Webber, of the Network, said on the website: "This means so much to the people of Wolverhampton, and it would be awful to let them down this year. Not only would we in the network be super thankful, but the Wolves LGBT community and surrounding areas would be extremely thankful too."

Two years ago LGBT Network Wolverhampton volunteers were recognised for their commitment and dedication to supporting local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award in the sector that can be bestowed.

Mr Tatchell took part in 2013 when the Pride event was in its second year. He joined in the march holding a placard which called for equality before addressing the crowds gathered in School Street.

The event is backed by local businesses with workers from Gorgeous in School Street, University of Wolverhampton students and Wolverhampton Homes employees among theose who have taken part in the procession. The parade follows a mile-long route through the city from Market Square on a loop to School Street.