NLTG give Accrington Carnival sponsor boost

It is full steam ahead for this summer’s Accrington Carnival after organisers secured a vital sponsorship deal.

North Lancs Training Group and the Accrington Lions have struck a deal which will see the training provider become the June event’s main sponsor.

Lions president Tracy Simmonds said: “If we did not have a main sponsor, there is too much cost involved in putting the carnival on. Without the support of local businesses the carnival could not go ahead.”

“It is free this year for the first time ever so there is no revenue coming in on the gate. And all the money raised goes back into the community.”

“North Lancs Training Group has sponsored us before but this is the first time in six years. It’s good to have them on board again.”

Tracy said she wrote to the training provider to tell them the Lions’ plans for this year’s carnival.

She said: “They are going to use it as a team building exercise and it’s a time when the whole business comes together and everybody gets involved.”

On Monday, North Lancs Training Group’s managing director Jim Harkness handed over a cheque for £3,500.

It is the fourth time the group has backed the carnival, having previously sponsored the event in 2005, 2007, and 2009.