Scunthorpe Pride 2026 at risk following unsuccessful National Lottery application

Scunthorpe Pride 2026 is at risk of cancellation after organisers revealed they are facing a £20,000 funding gap following an unsuccessful National Lottery application.

The annual celebration, launched in 2023, has grown rapidly to become one of the town’s biggest community events. Last year’s Pride drew more than 15,000 attendees, with organisers calling it the largest free public gathering in North Lincolnshire.

“We aren’t giving up yet, but we need the ‘Steel Town’ spirit more than ever.”

However, the future of this summer’s event - scheduled for Saturday, 29 August in Church Square - is now uncertain. In a statement shared on social media, organisers warned that the festival may have to be significantly reduced or cancelled altogether unless urgent financial support is found.

“If we don’t raise this money, Scunthorpe Pride 2026 will either be significantly stripped back or may not go ahead at all,” the post said.

“We aren’t giving up yet, but we need the ‘Steel Town’ spirit more than ever.”

Vice-chairwoman Beckie Stephen described the setback as “very upsetting” for the volunteer team that has spent three years building the event. She said the public response since the funding appeal was published has been encouraging.

“We’ve already had some amazingly positive feedback since putting the message out,” she said.

Stephen emphasised that keeping the event free and open to all has always been central to Pride’s purpose.

“Our mission has always been to keep Pride a free, non-ticketed event,” she said “To take that away, especially during the summer holidays, would be such a shame to so many families.”

“If we don’t raise this money, Scunthorpe Pride 2026 will either be significantly stripped back or may not go ahead at all."

She added that Pride plays an important role in supporting LGBTQ+ people in the town. “Our LGBTQ+ percentage is quite high compared to other towns, so just bringing that day to Scunthorpe is really important.”

Organisers have now launched a GoFundMe campaign and are appealing to local businesses, sponsors and residents to help bridge the £20,000 shortfall. Stephen confirmed that several companies had already reached out offering support.

“We’ve had so many businesses contact us to offer potential sponsorship, which is just amazing,” she said. “We just keep going, keep pushing forward.”

Community events such as Pride often rely heavily on grants, sponsorship and donations to remain free. Organisers warned that increasing financial pressures are making it harder for local festivals across the UK to stay afloat.

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