PRIDE organisers are celebrating after their own fundraising record was smashed at this year’s event.

Brighton Pride organisers have announced that this year’s pride celebrations have raised nearly £65,000 for LGBT community groups and charities in the city.

It takes the total raised by Brighton Pride Community Interest Company in its two years in charge of the event beyond £100,000.

Brighton Pride managing director Paul Kemp said he hoped this year’s success would encourage even more businesses to get involved next year.

Money raised will be distributed to LGBT organisations through the Rainbow Fund grants programme later in the year.

This year’s Pride, held at the start of the month, saw thousands of people enjoy two day’s entertainment in and around St James’s Street as well as a disco-inspired community parade and a star-studded party in the park featuring, among others, Blue, Sam Bailey, Collabro and Katy B.

The 2014 fundraising total of £64,578 has been raised from the £1 ring-fenced from ticket sales for the Pride Festival and pledge wristbands for the Village Party as well as from Pride fundraising activities.

Mr Kemp said: “Brighton Pride is the UK’s biggest Pride festival and we are incredibly proud that we have raised more than £107,000 over the past two years for the Rainbow Fund.

“Supporting LBGT charities and good causes is the cornerstone of Pride and really shows that Brighton Pride 2014 was a ‘Pride with Purpose’.

“We would like to thank all of our sponsors and partners and every single person who supported each of the Pride events in 2014 for making this donation possible.”

Paul Elgood, chairman of the Rainbow Fund, said: “The continued success of Brighton Pride gives a massive boost to the local LGBT and HIV voluntary sector and this huge sum will make a tremendous difference for community groups working locally.

“Without the tireless work of the Pride organisers in making the event such a success, this money would simply not be available to the community.