A FUNDRAISING campaign has been launched in an effort to stop a traditional community event from dying out.

Anthony Monarch, from Richmond, has enjoyed the Richmond Meet parade, held every year on Whit Bank Holiday Monday, since he was a child – but has noticed a steady decline in the number of floats and bands taking part.

And in an effort to reverse the trend, the 32-year-old has launched an online fundraising campaign to encourage people to pledge donations to go towards hiring more marching bands – a big part of the parade’s entertainment.

“I have been involved with Richmond Meet parade a lot over the years, including being part of groups that have entered floats,” he said.

“The committee do a fantastic job but they do struggle for funds, and I thought they could do with an extra boost.

“I have been badgering people in local clubs, pubs and organisations to try and encourage them to support the parade because it is such a big part of the community.

“Marching bands tend to cost around £250 each, so if we can raise £1,000 we can bring four more to take part, and hopefully more people will be encouraged to build the parade back up.

“It used to be such a huge thing when I was young in the 1980s and 1990s, with the parade taking around an hour but now it is significantly shorter.”

Richmond Meet secretary Fiona Hadden said she was thrilled by his support – and she has already received dozens of enquiries about how to join in with the parade.

She said: “The Meet parade has been going for 125 years so it would be really sad if it came to an end – but it is in danger of that if people don’t support it.

“The parade doesn’t cost anything for participants other than putting together a float. Richmond Meet is fully insured, and spends around £1,000 on prizes for the different categories.”

Mrs Hadden, whose husband Paul is this year’s Meet president, said it originally began as a cyclists’ meet – and this year cycling events will be back at the forefront of the weekend, which runs from Friday, May 26 to Monday, May 29.

There will be a 100-mile road race organised by Richmond Cycling Club, grass track events at Richmond Cricket Club, and mountain biking events at Aske Estate in the week leading up to the weekend.

For details of how to get involved in the Meet contact Mrs Hadden on 07968-059455.

To help with the fundraising visit crowdfunder.co.uk/richmond-yorkshire-forum-parade-fund