ORGANISERS of a popular summer children’s fete are looking for sponsors to help make it bigger and better than ever before.

The annual fete held by the Mechanics’ Institution Trust is traditionally held each July in the GWR Park in Faringdon Road.

Next year will be the 150th anniversary of the traditional event, which will coincide with the 175th anniversary of new Swindon.

But the organisers are now appealing for help from local businesses, organisations and bodies to help raise the funds to make the anniversary the best event ever.

Hannah Parry, community development and event co-ordinator for the Children’s Fete, said: “In some previous years, the event hasn’t reached its full potential, but the 2012 event showed us what can be achieved and the large numbers of local people we can reach with adequate levels of funding; 7,000 people came that year, largely thanks to a £10,000 Awards for All lottery grant.

“If we can source a similar level of funding this year and next we believe we can build on this attendance greatly, so that more children and families than ever can enjoy and benefit from all that this wonderful event has to offer.

“We need to be certain of our core budget by March 28 in order to be in a position to deliver a successful and widely promoted event this year, in preparation for 2016’s Anniversary event.”

So far, the group has secured £1,000 in funds, but still needs to raise more in order to foot the bill.

Hannah said: “Even if small businesses are willing to donate £50 in return for a thank you in the programme or £100 for a thank you and a free stall on the day – this all adds up and could make all the difference between whether the event takes place or not.”

Dating back to 1866, the fete was designed to provide summer entertainment or the families of the workers of the Great Western Railway.

It was held every year until the outbreak of World War Two, and was then resurrected in 2002 by the volunteers of the Mechanics Institution Trust.

The biggest event to date was in 2012, when a £7,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund and £6,000 from the WG Little Fund helped organisers to bring in a variety of entertainments, including dance, live music, and a variety of other side shows.

It also upheld the tradition of every child receiving a piece of special cake on the day.

For more information about this year’s event, or if you think you can help, call 01793 520592 or visit http://mechanics-trust.org.uk/childrens-fete.