The future of this year’s Swindon Mela is hanging in the balance as organisers appeal for sponsorship.

Now in its tenth year, the festival saw 23,000 people head to the Town Gardens in Old Town last year to sample British Asian culture.

But while organisers are optimistic that the event will go ahead, they still need to secure the full £55,000 needed to run it.

Sonny Hamid, project manager of Swindon Mela Ltd, who has been involved with the Mela for five years, said: “The 2012 Mela promises to be the biggest and best yet, if we can secure the funding for it.

“I am hopeful that we can attract more sponsorship and funding by raising awareness of our difficulties.

“If people know about the issues, then they can start doing something about it, coming forward with ideas, volunteering or helping us raise money to ensure that we have a Mela in 2012 we can all be proud of. “I am optimistic but my optimism doesn’t fund the Mela.”

Sponsorship is needed to pay for infrastructure, security, generators, first aid centres, travel expenses for some of the teams, bunting, banners and prizes.

But Sonny said a number of key sponsors are tightening their belts and pulling out of funding.

This year’s Mela is due to be held on August 25 at the Town Gardens.

“This is a free event for the people of Swindon,” he said.

“It is an event which promotes the cultures of South Asia in the most exciting ways and which contributes enormously to the local economy.

“It also helps community cohesion and introduces young people to the arts and crafts of south Asia.

“Many of them carry on developing their skills in this area. “We are all committed to the festival and to working with and for our diverse communities in the Swindon area.

“This is why I think it is vitally important that we continue to run the Mela and why we need a helping hand to help save it.”

Swindon Mela Ltd will be running a Taste of the Mela event.

This will be at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery on June 9 to help raise funds.

The Taste of the Mela event will run from 10am until 5pm and donations will be taken on the door to help with funding.

To find out more about Swindon Mela, to make a donation, offer sponsorship or volunteer go to www.swindonmela.com/mela