THOUGHTS may be more focused on festive fun than summer festivals this time of year but the team behind Oxford's biggest street party are hoping for a Christmas funding boost.

Cowley Road Carnival organisers Cowley Road Works have launched a yuletide appeal for donations to support next year’s July parade and its ongoing community work.

Fundraising is crucial for the carnival, which costs £130,000 to run each year. Despite stepping up efforts at the 2018 event and 50,000 revellers descending on Cowley Road, the group revealed less than £8,000 was donated at the July 1 carnival, falling far short of a £20,000 target.

Funding has long been a struggle for the carnival, which has in the past been forced off Cowley Road and into South Park due to a lack of cash.

Executive director Micaela Tuckwell said: “Although a hot summer’s day is probably far from your mind on the run up to Christmas, we work all year round to make carnival day happen.

“Our costs are in the region of £130,000 each year -remember we have to pay for security, first aid, toilets, emergency facilities, staging etc necessary - and we want to make sure that carnival and the charitable activities surrounding its preparation, like school costume workshops, continue to flourish so that absolutely everyone in the community can get involved in Oxford’s big day out."

The charity aims to raise £1,500 from the public this festive season to support carnival 2019, which will take place on July 9.

The fundraiser has been kicked off with a donation of £100 from Ian and Felicity Steadman.

Mr Steadman, who is the ex-head of development at Oxford Brookes University is a keen supporter and volunteer for the carnival.

He said: “I’m supporting this campaign because as someone who has helped to raise funds for different organisations over many years, I have always thought it important for fundraisers also to be donors to the cause or institution for which they raise funds."

He added: “Felicity and I are delighted to be first responders to this great project, which helps to build community spirit in East Oxford where we live and from where we derive so many benefits, not least of all during the wonderful annual carnival.”

Ms Tuckwell thanked the couple for their 'very generous' donation, saying: "We rely on donations from the public to account for 20 per cent of the preparations and running costs of the day which include the hiring of stages and barriers, to the costs of recruiting and training the 100 volunteers needed to help the day run smoothly.

"Without support we would struggle to meet the costs of the spectacular day out.”Donate via cowleyroadworks.co.uk