THE people behind the popular annual Chester Pride festival are planning to open a new café and community space in the heart of the city – and are looking for your help to fund it.
The LGBT+ charity plans to sell refreshments and food at the new venue and also utilise it as a base from which to continue important charitable support projects focused on LGBT+ issues.
In order to help raise the funds needed for this project to go ahead, Chester Pride is launching its first ever crowdfunding campaign.
Warren Lee Allmark, chair of Chester Pride, said: “We’re really excited to try this new way of fundraising, as not only will it give us the vital funds we need to open our cafe and community space, but it also lets us say thanks for supporting us by giving our backers rewards.
"We know that safe spaces and support are really important to the community, and the initial response to our crowdfunder has shown how much the community supports this project.
"But we still have a long way to go with raising money and hope even more people will support our project.”
The crowdfunding is being run as part of the Aviva Community Fund, allowing the public to show their support for the campaign by donating directly.
The Aviva Community Fund also allows Aviva employees to distribute £250,000 quarterly to projects that are important to them in their local communities.
Backers of the campaign will receive some exclusive merchandise/rewards and be part of securing the Chester LGBT+ community a welcoming and safe space within the city.
After the crowdfunding campaign closes, Chester Pride will continue to share the journey towards opening the new venue on its social media channels.
Richard Euston, head of Chester Pride, said: “With issues such as mental health, domestic abuse, substance abuse, hate crimes, and a general lack of access to information and support, we know that opening our own venue is just the first step on a long journey.
"This is our biggest project ever because not only is opening the cafe and community space a huge undertaking, but also we have a whole host of projects and plans that will let us really expand our work and support for the LGBT+ community once the venue is up and running.”
The crowdfunding campaign is now live and running until December 15.
For more information, and to donate, visit https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/chester-pride-cafe
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here