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Ilkley Carnival calls for primary beneficiary applications

 

Ilkley Carnival is inviting local groups and organisations to apply to be the 2020 primary beneficiary.

 

One local group has the chance to receive 50% of the profits from this year’s environmentally themed event on Sunday 3rd May, with the remaining 50% distributed amongst other local good causes.

 

Andrew Stacey, Chairman of Ilkley Carnival said: “The Carnival is all about the community, the event itself is a celebration of all that is good about Ilkley with everyone getting involved from schools and extracurricular clubs to local charities and business.  That’s why it’s so brilliant to be able to put the profits back into the community and help make a real difference to some wonderful organistions.”

 

Carnival Treasurer Colin Williams added:  “Previous primary beneficiaries have received as much as £8,600 to help improve lives within the local community.  Thanks to our sponsors such as High Speed Training, who effectively underwrite some of the annual cost of over £20,000 for putting on the event, the Carnival is able to provide both a family fun day and assist local good causes.”

 

The Carnival committee are now looking for the group, the organisation or the charity that will be selected to receive the lion’s share of the 2020 funds.  Applicants need to demonstrate where the money will go, how it will be used and what value they can bring to help us make this the best Carnival ever.

 

Last year the committee selected Ilkley Town Community Football Club as the primary beneficiary and gifted £7,000 toward the cost of upgrading existing facilities and providing a new covered stand for players and spectators.  The remaining £7,000 profit from last year’s Carnival was distributed amongst 19 other organisations including Ilkley Gym Club, Ilkley Rugby Club, Manorlands and the Clark Foley centre.

 

The new stand is to named the Carnival Stand and the football club are now looking for a sponsor for it.  Anybody interested in discussing sponsorship the stand should contact Paul Wintersgill on 07713 656468.

 

Richard Giles, Chairman of Ilkley Town said: “We would like to thank Ilkley Carnival for their generous donation towards the cost of the new Stand.  The shelter the Stand provides from the wind and rain makes watching football on the 4G pitch much better for parents and spectators.  Already we are starting to attract more spectators.  The U16’s girls played Bradford City last week with 80 spectators and the first team also attracted 60 for their game against Horbury Town.”

 

With Ilkley Grammar School and over 1,000 people using the new facilities each week, this is something that has benefitted the whole community.

 

Andrew added: “Last year saw our biggest parade ever, with more than 1,200 people taking part including local schools, playgroups, theatre groups and organisations marching through the centre of town.  We are very lucky to have many volunteers from local organisations who help make the event happen, from setting up during the days before to taking down at the end of the Carnival day itself.  The remaining 50% of profits raised goes back to these groups because without their support, the Carnival simply couldn’t happen.”

 

“We would urge any local charities, schools, playgroups or organisations to apply to be the primary beneficiary as, not only does the larger donation mean we can help make a real difference, it also significantly increases their profile and raises awareness for the cause, helping socially as well as financially.  Given this year’s theme of ‘Our Planet’, we would welcome applications which have a positive impact on the environment.”

 

Parties interested in applying for primary beneficiary status can do so online through the Ilkley Carnival website www.ilkleycarnival.org/beneficiaries/ where full details can be found under the ‘Beneficiaries’ section.  Closing date for applications is 18 February 2020 and successful shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview shortly afterwards.