ONLY a few weeks to go until Worcestershire Pride returns to the city for its second celebration.

The Big Lottery Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, has contributed towards Pride with a sum of £10,000 for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) community to put on this event.

Andre Oldfield, Chairperson of Worcestershire Pride, said: “We’re really excited to be hosting Worcestershire Pride with support from the National Lottery.

“It’s going to be a fantastic event with plenty of fun and celebrations. We welcome all people from across the county to come along and get involved, where there will be the opportunity to form groups and meet new friends for our first ever parade.”

This year the theme of the celebrations will be ‘out in the country’, helping to raise awareness of isolation and loneliness in rural areas, particularly for the LGBT+ community.

The parade will be held in Worcester on Saturday September 22, from Cathedral Square to South Quay.

At the end of the parade, there will be a main stage with local speakers and music acts, a literature tent with performances from poets and a family fun area with a petting zoo.

James Harcourt, England Grant-Making Director at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support projects like Worcestershire Pride which is a fantastic example of people coming together to use their ambitions and aspirations to create something wonderful for their local community.”

In total, 31 community projects in Worcestershire have been awarded almost £850,000 in National Lottery funding.

Locally, the 5th Worcester Sea Scout Group has been awarded a £10,000 grant to install disabled facilities and access at its newly refurbished site, which had been damaged by flooding from the River Severn.

Also, thanks to almost £225,000 of National Lottery funding, Worcester Community Trust will be able to offer a range of activities for vulnerable women, including those experiencing domestic abuse.

Faith Sanderson, CEO at Worcester Community Trust, said: “We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to grow our fantastic JOY project, which has supported and empowered hundreds of women across Worcester."

To find out more, visit biglotteryfund.org.uk.