A LOCAL COMMUNITY group is celebrating after receiving almost £5,000 in funding. 

Stroud Pride has received £4,760 in National Lottery funding to support its work for the local LGBTQ+ community.

The group say this money will be used towards its annual Stroud Pride Picnics in June 2024 and 2025, with regular events throughout the year for LGBTQ+ people.

Stroud Pride has been running since 2018 and is entirely volunteer-run.

Stroud Pride holds an annual free Pride Picnic in Stroud’s Bank Gardens, with this year’s picnic on Saturday, June 22 from 12 until 5pm, which will include craft stalls, a treasure hunt, music and performances.

The group also runs Trans Stars, a support group for all trans, nonbinary and gender-diverse people in Stroud and nearby, who meet monthly for socialising and crafting.

Michael Jones, co-chair of Stroud Pride, said: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.

"Now, thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to provide regular events for the LGBTQ+ community in Stroud, and bring our whole community together in celebration of diversity.

"This is important because it helps to increase acceptance of LGBTQ+ people, reduce crime against LGBTQ+ people and improve our community’s understanding and awareness the LGBTQ+ community.”

Craig Johnson, co-chair of Stroud Pride, said: “I launched Stroud Pride as an organisation 6 years ago and could not be prouder of the success and overwhelming kindness of the Stroud community in supporting its LGBTQ+ community.

"This grant has enabled us to continue the work we do in these financially difficult times.

"The committee will be working very hard with other organisations in Stroud to continue to provide safe spaces and events for the LGBTQ+ community as well as supporting the wider community to be ever more increasingly inclusive to shine the positive light of love and acceptance to those beyond Stroud.”