THOUSANDS of pounds were raised to support a mid-winter arts parade through the city.

Every year event organiser Same Sky makes a bid for public support for Burning the Clocks in Brighton.

The event is held on the winter solstice, and last month saw thousands of marchers go through the city with light lanterns.

Despite the appalling winter weather, organisers said that fundraising and business partnerships helped to raise more than £9,000 for the event.

In particular there was also a £1,200 donation made by diners throughout December at The Chilli Pickle restaurant.

Same Sky artistic director John Varah was among those who started the event in 1994 and has seen the event grow from humble beginnings into one of the biggest events of the city’s annual calendar.

He said: “We would like to thank everyone who helped make this year’s Burning the Clocks another success.

“Despite difficult weather conditions on the night, it was great to see so many people take part in the parade and to get the support from those that braved the weather to join in the winter solstice celebrations.

“We would also like to extend a huge thanks to everybody that supported our crowdfunder, those that put money into the collection buckets and our event sponsor The Chilli Pickle.

“Burning the Clocks receives no guaranteed funding, and simply wouldn’t happen without those who supported the event.

“Thanks to a huge community effort, we raised just over £9,000.”

Last month’s parade saw dragons, cats, dinosaurs, and a dodo being created to light the streets of central Brighton on the parade to the seafront.

The fireworks display had to be cancelled amid strong winds.

Same Sky relies on sponsorship, donations, and grants from Brighton and Hove City Council to run the event. More than £5,000 was raised from those watching the event and putting cash in collection buckets.

Mr Varah said: “It is a seasonal event about being cheery, trying to come together and celebrating people’s similarities rather than their differences.

“We have people from community groups and schools, and have had refugees attend as well. It makes everyone feel part of the city, it is a great unifier.

“When we first started we always thought it would become something special, though it has become a bit of a monster.”

To find out more about supporting the event again in December 2020 visit: facebook.com/burningtheclocks.