THE organisers behind this year’s Ross-on-Wye Pride Festival are looking for sponsorship to help fund the event, planned for June 20.

Following last year’s inaugural Pride Festival, which was organised within a month, plans are afoot to hold the event again.

It will involve a parade through the town which will start at the town’s bandstand and finish at the Hope and Anchor.

It is hoped that as many people will watch and cheer or walk with them to celebrate the diversity of people living in the area.

After the parade has been completed, the event will continue and will be hosted at the Hope and Anchor on the Rope Walk.

As a group the organisers are holding events throughout the year to support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and fundraise for the festival and includes a recent karaoke night and a quiz evening.

However, the organisers feel that sponsorship is needed to cover the costs of the festival, estimated to be at least £2,000 which includes insurance at £200 and the employment of security team at £300.

It is proposed that there following the parade around town there will be various live entertainment acts throughout the afternoon with a range of community activities.

Food and drink will be available at the Hope and Anchor, inside the main pub, in the Pavilion and also outside from the hut.

Last year’s Pride March was arranged in just three weeks after Beth Underwood suggested the idea on social media and explained that because of the time factor she wasn’t able to apply for road closures with the local authority, so a route was devised using only footpaths and pavements around the town.

A large crowd turned out to support the event with rainbows and Pride flags, which concluded at the town’s Market House.