COWLEY Road Carnival organisers are urging people to give a quid to the city’s popular street party.

Thousands will head to East Oxford when the carnival returns in less than a month’s time on Sunday, July 5.

But Cowley Road Works, the charity behind the annual summer extravaganza, still needs to raise about £37,000 for this year’s festivities.

The volunteers have launched their Quid for Carnival fundraising campaign and are urging residents to each donate just £1 to the cause.

Cowley Road Works executive director Danielle Batigelli said: “Carnival is a free day out for the community and we hope that it always will be.

“We want everyone to come down to Cowley Road and have a fabulous day. We work hard to ensure that there is something to appeal to everyone, from toddlers to octogenarians, and that it will be a safe event for the public.

“But to ensure that we can finance the carnival every year, as well as all our outreach events and activities in the community, we want to encourage people to donate a quid for the afternoon’s entertainment and the ripple effect from it, or more if they can afford it.”

Crowds of more than 45,000 filled the heart of East Oxford last year, making it the biggest carnival to date.

But the unexpected surge in visitors has meant organisers need to raise £10,000 more this year to cover extra security needed, as well as fund event management, road closures, traffic diversions, first aid cover, toilets and street cleaning.

Earlier this month, Ms Batigelli told the Oxford Mail plans for next year’s carnival may have to be scaled back if organisers do not reach their £120,000 target for this summer’s event and if more volunteers do not come forward.

She said: “If each of the 45,000 people who come to carnival gives £1 that would go a long way towards covering costs. It is the best value they’re going to get all year.”

Sean Humphries and his son Joe Humphries, of Magdalen Road’s Bounce Design, lent their creative talents to the Quid for Carnival campaign.

The pair are in the midst of printing about 20,000 stickers, bearing the campaign logo, which will be dished out to people who donate £1.

Managing director Sean said: “The carnival is a great place to mingle with the people who are part of East Oxford and surround the community.

“I think it’s one of those events that brings everybody together. You don’t get anything like it.”

The 49-year-old said it was important for the community to donate to the cause and ensure organisers were able to host the festival again.

He added: “If it did not go ahead it would be a real disappointment.

“It would be a shame to lose it.”

* For more information about this year’s event, see cowleyroadcarnival.co.uk