An extra $2200 is need to secure the Apex Launceston Christmas Parade for 2018, without the funding the parade cannot go ahead.
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The organising group, of just eight volunteers, is calling for community support after being allocated just over half of the funds is requested from the City of Launceston.
The group applied for $5000 from the City of Launceston, but the council’s funding budget only allowed for $2300 to be allocated to the event.
Christmas Parade organiser Anita Cox said being about $3000 out of pocket would be “too much” for the small club.
“Even with the $5000 [the council] give is, we don’t get the full amount,” Ms Cox said.
“The council take about $3000 of that for road closure fees. That is our biggest expense of putting the parade on.”
At Monday’s council meeting, when the community grants were voted on, Ms Cox told the council the parade could not go ahead without the funding.
Alderman Robin McKendrick was shocked at the thought of the parade not going ahead.
“It’s a worthwhile thing for our community ... I would hate to see us not have a Christmas parade,” Alderman McKendrick said.
Alderman McKendrick said he would move the motion at the next council meeting “for the children”.
Ms Cox said the whole event cost about $10,000.
“The only sponsorship we get at the moment is from Cityprom and the council,” she said.
“We do have our $25 entry fee, but that goes straight back into a local charity and this year it would be Launceston Feeding The Homeless.”
The event has been running in the hands of Apex for about 30 years.
“It is a tradition that has been around for quite some time and I think it would be sad for it not to go ahead,” she said.
City of Launceston general manager Michael Stretton said the council’s event funding programs was “one of the most important”.
"The total request for funding for the first round of the 'small event' sponsorship program discussed on Monday was $42,100, but we only have a funding pool of $25,600,” Mr Stretton said.
He said many of the events were run by dedicated teams of volunteers.
“There's no doubt the Apex Launceston Christmas Parade fits this category — it is a wonderful event for Launceston, organised by a team of passionate volunteers, and the City of Launceston has been a proud supporter of the event for many years,” Mr Stretton said.
“Where these funding shortfalls may occur, it's a fantastic opportunity for private businesses to step in and show their support through funding or other avenues of sponsorship."