Volunteer group which runs events in Littleborough starts fundraiser as costs rise

A group of volunteers which run events in Littleborough has launched an online fundraiser as costs ‘keep going up’.

Littleborough Events Association Forum (LEAF), a voluntary group organising events in Littleborough, started the JustGiving to help them put on events including the Christmas light switch on, Rushbearing festival with Oakenhoof Arts and the Food and Drink Festival.

All the group’s events are free and rely on donations as well as grants and donations from the council and Crook Hill wind farm and local business Graham Poole Transport.

LEAF chair Simon France said that an online donation form would be easier than using buckets to collect donations at the events.

He said: “The costs are just going up. The food festival this year it’s going to cost over a thousand pounds more than previous years and that’s doing the same thing again.

“We’ve chosen cheaper bands to perform at the food festival. We told one of them we don’t want them as they’re too expensive.

“I thought we’ll try some kind of online fundraising to see if that can help swell our coffers. Usually get £200-300 in the collection buckets but maybe if we try something online, it would be easier for people.”

Simon said that grants only cover certain things, and have to rely on donations for insurance and legal forms as well using stall fees to cover costs.

Stall fees at the food and drink festival only cover a quarter of the costs and although LEAF will be able to pay for events this year they have had to eat into their reserves putting next year’s events under threat.

“I think the events are really important for Littleborough,” said Simon, who has been at LEAF since 2009 and has been chair for the past five years.

“They're important for the community vibe, if you like. We’re really good at putting these events on, we’ve done it for a long time now.

“What it does is it makes Littleborough a nicer place to live as there’s something happening and something going on that doesn’t cost. Anyone can come to the Rushbeairng and watch Vikings fighting.”

Simon added that LEAF was also on the lookout for volunteers to help put on their events.

He said: “The two things we need are money and volunteers. Since Covid volunteer numbers have dwindled and we need help organising the events and stewarding events.

“Some people can’t commit to standing in a field for 8 hours but could help with social media or publicity from home.

“If we had a lot of people doing a little bit of work we wouldn't have a few people doing a lot of work.”

Links to donate or volunteer can be found here: linktr.ee/littleboroughevents.