Chester Pride Partners & Sponsors

Chester Pride is pleased to announce they have secured Partners and Sponsors for the charity to ensure it can continue to run its annual events such as family fun days.

With Covid-19 severely affecting the charities ability to fundraise, partners and sponsors support has been key for some of their charitable projects such as JUST ASK an LGBT+ Helpline that offers help, advice and support on a number of LGBT+ related issues, during Covid-19 lockdowns. This service saw a sharp increase in people needing Mental health support. Other projects such as The Box Project that offers free condoms and sanitary products has increased with 14 venues across the city offering this free service for all, details can be found on their website:

www.chesterpride.co.uk

Chester Pride is pleased to welcome back Partners M&S Bank, Cheshire West & Chester Council, Bank of America along with returning sponsors Bristol Myers Squibb, Virgin Care, Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire John Dwyer, Mecca Bingo, ABC Taxis 01244 43 43 43, Bed Student Rentals, Cheshire Fire & Rescue, University of Chester, DTCC, NHS Cheshire & Wirral Partnership, Chester Boat, Cheshire Collage South & West, Dial West Cheshire & Environment agency along with new sponsors Airbus.

“The support from our partners & sponsors has been key to Chester Pride during covid, it has allowed us to create and maintain our charitable side of what we do. In the 15 months+ of covid restrictions where fundraising has been little to nothing due to restrictions, even now as we come out of the lockdowns our events are still subject to change and adjustments” Said Chester Pride Chair Warren Lee

Chester Pride took the decision back in January to remain a digital pride for 2021, due to the uncertainty of Covid-19, but has been exploring a smaller event later in the year, which they are pleased to announce is set for Saturday 18^th of September. CHESTER PRIDE: REFLECT & CONNECT will be their main physical event for 2021, taking place at the lower car park of Castle Square and showcasing the five charitable projects they have been working on during 2020 & 2021, along with a stage full of entertainment, including headline act Atomic Kitten, Lloyd Daniels and 80’s icon Kelly Wilde together with a number of local and national artists with more still to be announced.

Capacity is limited to 2,000 people and tickets for this event can be purchased in advance at:

www.chesterpride.co.uk

The main point of this fundraising event is to bring a physical event for people to reflect on the year gone by and connect with friends new and old, whilst raising funds to ensure Chester Pride’s 10 anniversary in 2022 can happen, where huge plans are being worked on as we speak.

Chester Pride has also been working on locating a suitable venue for a LGBT+ café and community safe space that will offer space for the LGBT+ Community and allies to enjoy, whilst profits will self-fund Chester Prides charitable projects and events alongside the support we receive from sponsors and partners. A number of Partners & Sponsors have been asked to tell us why Chester Pride is so important to them. As you can see from quotes below, which they will be releasing full details very soon, currently via their social media platforms.

Paul Spencer, CEO, M&S Bank, said: “This year marks the eighth year of our partnership with Chester Pride and we’re really proud to be supporting its new ‘Just Ask’ service, which has been designed to provide dedicated support, information and advice. This new service has already provided a safe space for over 500 individuals to speak to someone in their time of need.”

Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “We are proud to be a supporter of Chester Pride since its inception in 2013. The Council values the contribution Chester Pride has made to promoting inclusion and equality and helping minority communities across our borough.

The Council also recognises the profound effects the pandemic has had on our LGBT+ residents particularly in areas such as mental health and isolation. Chester Pride has been a key partner delivering projects such as Just ASK, the Box Project and providing support as a community leader. We would encourage everyone to support this year’s Digital Pride and also the Reflect and Connect event.”

We at Bank of America are committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community in our continued march towards equality for all. Supporting our local partners such as ‘Chester Pride’ has helped to promote diversity and inclusion within the organisation in order to provide support and advice to those who need it – ensuring that everyone can be confident that they really can bring their whole selves to work.

Darren Rickards Managing Director, Global Corporate & Investment Banking Senior Co-Sponsor LGBT+ Pride Network, EMEA

Airbus Head of Broughton Plant and Pride@Airbus Executive sponsor and ally Jerome Blandin said: “We have made huge strides in developing our LGBT+ staff and ally network at Airbus in Broughton over the past 12 months, so we’re proud to sponsor Chester Pride once again to show how Airbus values diversity in our workforce.”

Chester Pride is an LGBT+ focused charity established in 2013. They plan and run the annual Chester Pride event that sees around 15,000 people attend the celebration of diversity. They have also expanded their work and throughout the year to provide charitable projects and services to support the LGBT+ community. Their flagship service is the Just Ask helpline that offers support on any LGBT+ topic or to any LGBT+ person, all year round.

The charity is proud to support the West Cheshire Foodbank as they know that LGBT+ people are more likely to be vulnerable and in need of support from places like the Foodbank. They also believe in community and are proud to support other organisations and projects that help a wider community in need of support.