SWINDON and Wiltshire Pride will go ahead this summer after receiving the backing of one of the town’s biggest employers.

Nationwide Building Society has stepped forward to ensure Pride – cancelled last year due to a lack of volunteers – will return in style on August 10.

Pride chairman Kristian Wheeler said: “Having Nationwide back on board as our main sponsor for 2019 is incredible achievement and shows how businesses are supporting their LGBTQ+ staff and the whole community of Swindon and Wiltshire.”

June marks LGBT Pride month, a time of year when people across the UK and the world stand against discrimination and aggression towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and promote equality.

Faye Whitmarsh, the head of culture and inclusion at Nationwide, said: “We’re very pleased to be supporting this year’s Pride festival and parade in Swindon – the home of our Nationwide headquarters.

“We are passionate about valuing human difference and inclusion. These events are a great opportunity to celebrate in a fun and fully inclusive way and bring our members, employees and the local community together.”

Swindon Pride has raised more than £2,175 on its JustGiving page to prevent another cancellation and bring all the communities together while celebrating diversity in Swindon.

Locals have also helped Swindon Pride by holding fundraising events in town.

The event will take place at the Town Gardens on August 10 and will kick off with a parade that will start just after 11am and make its way through Old Town.

The Gardens will be filled with a burst of colour and festival atmosphere, centred around the Nationwide Stage and Stephen G Sloan Stage, sponsored by Thames Water.

The festival features a family zone, an arts zone, a shopping zone, a community zone and a craft zone, which is new for 2019.

Electronic dance group N-Trance and La Voix, Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists, are the headliners.

Social media manager Andy Midwinter said: “Swindon and Wiltshire Pride is a community event, run by local volunteers.

“We’re proud of the fact it is a free-to-attend event, and our partnership with Nationwide means we can stand by our promise and place no barrier in the way so that it remains accessible and for all to attend.”

For details visit www.swindonwiltshirepride.co.uk or email swinwiltspride@live.co.uk.