The Cowley Road Carnival is a fusion of street carnival and summer arts festival that attracts an estimated footfall of 66,000 in Cowley Road and South Park every year. The carnival is much loved by a huge sector of the Oxford community and is regarded as one of the largest multicultural events in the South East.

It brings together community-led arts groups, showcases artistic talent, and incorporates processions, stages, street performances, art workshops and food and arts and craft stalls.

It is a unique blend of multiculture that brings together the multi-faceted local neighbourhood and surrounding areas of Oxford and Oxfordshire.

This year, Cowley Road Works, the charity which organises the carnival, is stepping up its efforts to raise funds to try to secure a long-term future for the event, which is being staged this year on the weekend of July 2 and 3.

To enable this the newly designed website — cowleyroadcarnival.co.uk — now accepts online donations and is the central contact point for people and organisations to contribute ‘in kind’ or to get involved as volunteers, stallholders, sponsors or advertisers.

In recent years, the carnival has received funding from public sources including Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council and the city’s east area committee.

Since such funding resources are greatly reduced, Cowley Road Works is reaching out to a variety of sources such as businesses, local traders and individuals. Chairman John Hole, who is leading the funding appeal, said: “Cowley Road Carnival is now in its tenth year and reaches right into the heart of the East Oxford community, while drawing people in from the wider area.

“Many people would be very sorry to see it go and, as the organising charity, we are making the strongest possible appeal to anyone who can help out financially, or in kind, to step forward and get in touch.”

If you would like to help keep Cowley Road Carnival going, donations can be made online at cowleyroadcarnival.co.uk Or visit the website to find out how to volunteer, sponsor, advertise or take a stall at the carnival.

Alternatively, contact Cowley Road Works by phone on 07941 482376 or email cowleyroadworks@gmail.com