A PRIDE event that celebrates people with disabilities was back for its second year with a parade and all-day event on Saturday.

Hundreds of people joined the Disability Pride parade from the British Airways i360 to Hove Lawns, where an all-day event took place with live music, stalls and street food.

The event was started last year by a Jenny Skelton, adopted mother of Charlie, after Charlie experienced disability discrimination at Pride when she was thrown out of a pub.

The incident served as the inspiration for starting the event to raise awareness of disability.

Employees of Brighton and Hove Buses were there to welcome people at the entrance with their specially designed Pride bus.

Victoria Garcia, accessibility manager at Brighton and Hove buses, said: “Brighton and Hove Buses is once again a sponsor of Disability Pride.

“We are here to promote our initiatives for disabled people, like our Helping Hand scheme, which gives people cards to advise staff that they need assistance, and our wheelchair taxi guarantee, which means any wheelchair user who is unable to board the bus is offered a free accessible taxi.

“I am the only person in my role in the country, all train companies have someone like me, but bus companies haven’t caught up yet.

“We know we are leading way, but we want to do more. We won’t rest on our laurels.

“We are looking at redesigning the buses with dementia-friendly flooring, more space and better lighting, and we are working with national and local organisations to make our buses more accessible for everyone, whether they are disabled, pregnant or just carrying ten bags of shopping.”

Graham Aulton, who lives in Hangleton, is a volunteer at Guide Dogs and attended the event with his guide dog Bassey.

He said: “It is a fantastic day, which promotes disability.

“The Guide Dogs association has changed my life.

“People have an idea of how disabled people are meant to look but I go on buses and have total freedom.”

Representatives from The Chailey Heritage Foundation, which provides care and education for people with physical disabilities and learning disabilities, were had a stall at the event.

Bernie Tobin said: “It is our first time here, but I heard it is bigger and better than last year’s event. It has been a good and busy day.

“We have been telling people about all the work that we do, because a lot of people see us as just a school.”

Neil James said: “This event gives disabled people the chance to find out what resources are available in person, which is nicer than looking online. It is also an opportunity for them to socialise.”

Disability Pride Brighton received funding and support in 2018 from Sussex Community Foundation; Brighton & Hove Buses; The National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund; Brighton & Hove City Council; The Local People projects in Brighton and Hove, both of which are supported by Scope and funded by People’s Health Trust, using money raised by HealthWish through The Health Lottery; and People’s Health Trust’s Active Communities programme, using money raised by HealthWish through The Health Lottery.