£10,000 crowdfunding appeal to keep Gorleston’s clifftop festival going

Gorleston Clifftop Festival. July 2014. Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2014)

Now in its 20th year the seaside extravaganza needs to raise £10,000 - half the running costs - to keep going at its current size.

Vicky Webber said increased running costs associated with the incredible numbers of people - some 40,000 - who flock to the coast over the two days at the end of July were behind the appeal.

'More people means more toilets, more fencing, and more security,' she said.

'The event has grown significantly in the past few years but with this comes increased running costs. To keep the festival running at the scale it now operates on, more money is needed.

'The event, which has previously cost around £18,500 to run but this year looks to rise to £20,000, works on the ethos of providing a low cost day out for everyone in the family.

'To provide the low cost element the committee foots the bill for many attractions, bands and performers kindly perform for free and stall holders pay a pitch fee.

'A consistent £16,000 is generally raised each year but this means the festival has been running at a loss for the past couple of years. Pitch fees have been increased for 2017 but more needs to be done.'

She stressed that everyone behind the weekend, billed as the borough's biggest free day out, was a volunteer.

Mike Webber, deputy event coordinator, who set up the campaign said: 'Operating in this way is obviously not sustainable, we have reached out to local companies for sponsorship but many are not in a position to do this so we have decided to call on the local community as part of the crowdfunding initiative.'

He added: 'Donations can be as little as £1 so we're hoping people will take a few minutes out of their day to make a donation and that this will add up to help raise the target amount.'

The crowdfunding target is set at £10,000 with an ongoing deadline.

The closing fireworks have been paid for by the tourism BID initiative.

All donations will be ploughed back in to the festival to cover increased running costs as well as further attractions which visitors will enjoy for free.

To make donation visit the gofundme page.