Oil giants have rallied round to provide funding for the first ever Grampian Pride event in Aberdeen.
The parade along Union Street will be held on May 26 in celebration of LGBT people across the north-east.
On the day, Sandi Thom, Kit Purnell and Jack Rose will all perform at Queens Links.
Aberdonian Hollyoaks actress Annie Wallace will lead the parade down Union Street before an afternoon of entertainment around the city, which includes a charity marketplace on the Links.
Last night organisers revealed they had now received £50,000 in sponsorship following generous donations from oil and gas majors BP, Shell and Chevron.
That follows other support offered from LGBT charity Four Pillars, NSECol, NHS Grampian’s Endowment Fund, The Big Lottery Fund and Aberdeen City Council.
Organisations can still pledge to support Pride by getting in touch with the sponsorship team by emailing fundraising@grampianpride.org.
Pride co-chair and transgender campaigner, Justine Smithies, said: “We’ve worked hard to develop relationships with a range of local organisations and we’re really proud that so many have stepped up to help with our first event.
“Our priority has been clear from the start – to make Grampian Pride as inclusive as possible. For us that includes being a free event.”
Pride co-chair and Four Pillars founder, Deejay Bullock, added: “Without this support from local people we wouldn’t be able to offer the fun filled, packed day that we have planned.
“All of the £50,000 will be spent on Pride 2018 with the bill currently coming in a little over. Any extra monies donated will go towards pride 2019.”
A Shell spokesman said: “We aim to reflect the communities in which we live and work and believe that a fully inclusive workplace that is rich in diversity will allow our business and people to flourish.”
