Northumberland Pride Festival secures major sponsor

left to right: Darren John Irvine-Duffy, Chair (Northumberland Pride), Jacob Coventry-Peters, Development Worker (Northumberland Pride), Steven Irvine-Duffy, Interim Community Development Manager (Northumberland Pride), Scarlet Kane, Project Coordinator (Northumberland Pride), Tracy Machnicki, Social Value Manager (Britishvolt).

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Plus (LGBT+) charity Northumberland Pride is collaborating with Britishvolt, the company behind the UK’s first full scale lithium-ion Gigaplant planned for Cambois.

Britishvolt will be the main sponsor of the 2021 Northumberland Pride event, which raises awareness of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT+) culture and heritage.

The Festival will take place on Saturday, August 28, from 11am to 7pm in People’s Park, Ashington.

The collaboration between Britishvolt and Northumberland Pride will also support some of organisation’s wider community development work.

Darren Irvine-Duffy, Chair of Northumberland Pride, said: “Earlier this year we made a commitment to deliver a physical Pride and I’m thrilled to announce this exciting new collaboration.

“We are extremely grateful to Britishvolt for their positive approach and shared passion to support LGBT+ local communities in Northumberland.

"As well as powering our event, Britishvolt have committed to their longer term support with Northumberland Pride which will see a number of our vital LGBT+ mental health & wellbeing bags distributed to vulnerable and isolated members of the LGBT+ community.”

Jacqui Gavin BEM, Culture, Inclusion & Belonging Manager at Britishvolt, said: “Pride is a time for the LGBT+ community to come together and reflect on how far we have come on the journey towards true inclusion.

"I personally am very proud to have Britishvolt as the headline sponsor, as it echoes to the communities of Northumberland just how focused we are in raising awareness around every aspect of society.”

Tracy Machnicki, Britishvolt Social Value’s Manager, said: “The mantra at Britishvolt is all about doing the right thing.

"This is a hugely positive collaboration and will further engrain the fantastic work that our inclusion manager, Jacqui Gavin, continues to drive forward.

"Britishvolt wants to have a positive impact on the local community in so many ways, and this sponsorship underscores the importance of inclusion and diversity to the company.”

This year, Northumberland Pride will be a ticketed event, in order to make sure that the event is Covid-safe.

On site there will be activities such as a main stage, market stalls, fun fair, bar and food, health zone, family and youth zone and a VIP area.

To book tickets or for more information, visit www.northumberlandpride.org.uk/festival