A CHARITY has launched a funding campaign to keep a much-loved annual event running.

Community arts charity Same Sky have set up a crowdfunding campaign for the Burning the Clocks 2019 parade, which is due to take place on Saturday, December 21.

John Varah, artistic director at Same Sky said: “Our crowdfunder for Burning the Clocks is essential to keep this event alive, as it costs more than £30,000 to produce each year and doesn’t receive any guaranteed funding.

“We’ve been overwhelmed in the past with support from the public who make donations along the route and this is also crucial to cover the growing costs for this fabulous winter parade and celebration on Winter Solstice.”

The crowdfunder rewards donors with different prizes based on the size of their contribution, including personalised lanterns and tickets to take part in the parade, artwork and many gifts from local businesses.

Donors can enjoy meals at Brighton restaurants such as The Chilli Pickle, Terre a Terre and Moshimo, and limited edition prints by local artist Graham Carter, who has been designing prints for the event for seven years.

Ten VIP tickets are available for anyone who donates £100 or more, which will allow spectators to view the parade from a prime location on the beach.

Mr Varah wants to encourage anyone who has enjoyed the event in the past to take a look at some of the new prizes on offer this year.

He said: “I’d like to say a huge personal thank you to all of the local restaurants and organisations who have donated prizes to help us raise crucial funding.”

The event, which celebrates the winter solstice, has a different theme each year.

This year the theme is common humanity, and is a response to current challenges of global warming, community cohesion and migration.

The event’s organisers are expecting about 20,000 spectators and 2,000 participants in the parade, which starts at 6.30pm and runs from New Road to the seafront.

As in previous years, Brighton residents can purchase lantern kits to join in the festivities.

Lantern kits cost between £30 and £33 and contain materials, as well as four wristbands for parade participants.

The kits will be available from the Brighton Pavilion shop, HISBE supermarket in York Place, Brighton and The Book Nook in First Avenue, Hove from November 23.

To make a donation, go to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/burning-the-clocks-2019.