Cash lifeline saves kids' parade

More than 600 pupils from 18 schools will take part in a procession through the town on July 11.

Last month the Express reported how the Moving On parade was facing cancellation because of a cash crisis.

Although the event is almost entirely run by volunteers, a rejected funding bid meant there was not enough money to pay the few paid workers, including the artists who work with the children to create the fantastic colourful costumes.

But this week Waitrose confirmed it would be making a 4,000 donation to the organiser, Parents and Teachers in the Arts (PATINA).

The Express broke the good news to Stevie Auden, an executive committee member of PATINA.

She said: 'That's fantastic. That's brilliant news.

'It means the parade is saved and it means we have a future and can carry on next year.

'It looked as if we were just about going to scrape through this year, on a smaller scale, but it looked as if there was no future for it.

'But this means we can plan for next year and everyone will get paid this year, it's going to be brilliant.

'We also had a hugely successful meeting last night and everyone seems to have woken up to fact that we need support, mainly thanks to the coverage in the Sussex Express.

'New people have come forward to help but we are still looking for volunteers to help out on the day.'

Paul Soane, manager of Lewes Waitrose, said: 'As a team we delight in working in and with the local community wherever possible.

'By funding this year's annual children's parade, we are helping support a ceremony that is traditionally enjoyed by many young people in the locality.

'The parade is lots of fun, and we are thrilled to be able to help make it happen.'

Dozens of Lewes businesses have already given thousands of pounds to support the popular parade and Lewes Town Council has also pledged 1,000.

Hartley Quinn Wilson, a Lewes-based restoration and development company, has upped its donation from 300 to 1,000.

If you would like to help out by volunteering as a steward contact Raphaella Sapir at [email protected]

The theme of the parade is Creatures of the Deep and schools have been hard at work creating costumes for the big day.