THE Young Children’s Festival has made an appeal for donations following fears from organisers it may be the event’s final year.
With the Young Children’s Festival returning for the first time since 2019, organisers have put out an appeal asking for donations after organisers found funds were at at an all-time low.
Costing £4,000 to put together, organisers have set a £2,000 fundraising target to cover a portion of the expenditure and ensure the event can continue in future years.
The Young Children’s Festival has run since 1995, and is still set to go ahead on Saturday, June 11, at Upper Castle Park.
Running from 10.30am until 4pm, the day has a strong focus on inclusivity as it tries to help families from a wide range of backgrounds get together and enjoy free workshops and activities.
But dwindling volunteer numbers and cash reserves have put the annual event under serious threat.
One organiser, Harriet Miller, has been involved in the event since its inception 27 years ago but with so few volunteers, she worries whether the four remaining helpers will be able to continue putting on the event every year.
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She said: “Normally, we have a balance of £2,000 in the bank before we even start, and then we raise money on the day and apply for council grants.
“We normally raise £2,500 to £4,000 each year, meaning we have the £2,000 in hand to do all the up-front purchases.
"This year, we have got the money to cover the festival, but it will leave us with virtually nothing afterwards.”
“It won’t be enough for next year unless some kind of miracle happens.”
When asked what would keep the festival running in future years, Mrs Miller said she needed more people to get involved.
“Back in the day, we had a committee of 15 people – we used to have a whole bunch of people but that’s fizzled away to about four now.
“We need new blood and people with fresh ideas and people with energy to do everything on the day.”
Any donations to the Young Children’s Festival can be made via www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/youngchildrensfestival2022.
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