Friday, 24th February 06

David Harvey has announced that he is standing down as Chair of Pride. He leaves the organisation after nearly three and a half years having been elected in November 2002. During this period the organisation has secured charitable status and council funding, gained significant sponsorship aid and created and developed the concepts of both a Winter and Summer Festival week. "Pride will be in safe hands," David Harvey says. "In additional to the existing trustees, we have new volunteer trustees of an extremely high calibre with a fantastic small team of highly dedicated staff and volunteers. I'd like to thank everyone who has helped Pride grow during my time as Chair".

Pride Trustee Kath Browne joined the Board in 2004, "David has worked tirelessly for Pride over the past years and we wish him every success in the new directection he has taken. The Board remains committed to staging the most successful free LGBT event and festivals in the UK and will ensure the charity remains community-led and focused."

Pride has grown over the past 15 years to become the city's biggest annual event. Last year over 120,000 people attended the August weekend festivities. Pride has also now successfully established two annual festival weeks during which time nearly 100 events are staged throughout the city raising vaulable funds and awareness for both Pride and many other LGBT charities and groups. However, in order to continue their work and for main festival to remain free for the whole community, Pride's Operations Manager PJ Aldred is keen to encourage both local and national companies to come forward with their support, "In addition to the vital support we receive from the council and the police, we also have over 50 businesses supporting Pride. Any new business interested should contact us now for the August event which attracts many thousands of LGBT visitors but, more importantly, brings together people from all Brighton and Hove communities".