Darwen Pride applied to the Community Asset Fund in June and were awarded £2000 to put towards the running of their first Darwen Pride event, held in Darwen Market Square on Saturday 13th July. They were also successful with their application for £1000 to the BwD Community Fund. Starting at 12 noon and ending at 10pm, the day was a full celebration of Darwen’s Diversity, Inclusion and Equality.
Additionally by ASDA’s Empowering Local Communities and BwD UNISON Local Government Branch, Darwen Pride’s first event was a resounding success. Darwen Pride also raised other funds by reaching out to Darwen businesses for donations and sponsors which raised them another £2000. The Group attended the Roots Forum to recruit volunteers from the Recovery Community to help out on the day.
It is estimated that over 2000 people attended throughout the day taking advantage of the free entertainment on stage as well as market stalls based around the Market Square Peregrine Falcon.
The day started with Geoff Wilkinson from Community CVS thanking the Mayoress of Darwen, Cllr Brookfield and Cllr Fielding, Darwen East Ward for giving their time, the funders that, along with Darwen Pride’s fundraising enabled the event to take place, and, most importantly, the Committee Members, DJ Skippy and Chair, Tina Walsh for their outstanding efforts in planning the day.
Darwen Pride Chair and chief organiser, Tina Walsh, said:
“We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from Community CVS and the funders. With their help we know that the first Darwen Pride event will be a success and we can’t wait to start planning for 2025. Members of the LGBT+ community struggle to be open about their gender identities or sexual orientation. They often suffer discrimination which leads to social isolation, leaving them with no one to talk to. Darwen Pride will provide a welcome opportunity that will help break down the barriers they face as well as enabling them to meet new people.
“We all recognise the huge benefits that a closer community can bring to one another. The efforts that we all continue to make help us all in combating those on the fringes that try to drive a wedge between us all.
“Equality is the aim but is should be an established right and its celebration events like Darwen Pride that will help achieve this. Equality Benefits and Liberates Us All.”
The Community Asset fund is available to grassroot community groups whose project will benefit the recovery community in BwD.
