ILKLEY Carnival is inviting local groups and organisations to apply to be beneficiaries of the 2025 May Day bank holiday event.

One local group will have the chance to receive 50 per cent of the profits from the spectacular family day on Monday, May 5, 2025, with the remaining 50 per cent distributed amongst other local good causes.

Ilkley Carnival donated just over £22k to local charities and organisations following the 2024 Mardi Gras-themed event, with £11k going to primary beneficiary AWARE – Airedale and Wharfedale Autism Resource.

Carnival chair Andrew Stacey says: “In the last 11 years, Ilkley Carnival has raised more than £170k which has been donated to groups across our local community from youth organisations and sports clubs to those groups who provide extraordinary services to some of our most vulnerable residents.

“We are now looking for the group, the organisation or the charity that will be selected to receive the lion’s share of the 2025 funds. Applicants need to demonstrate where the money will go, how it will be used and what value they can bring to help us make 2025 the best Ilkley Carnival ever.”

Applications can be found on the Ilkley Carnival website and shortlisted organisations will be invited to interview at the Carnival’s headquarters on The Grove on Monday, January 13, 2025. As well as selecting a primary beneficiary for 2025, the application process helps the Ilkley Carnival committee to meet and connect with different local groups who also have the opportunity to benefit from and support the annual event.

Andrew added: “Ilkley Carnival is by the community for the community and that’s why our beneficiaries are at the very heart of our event. We are looking forward to finding out more about the organisations that Ilkley Carnival can support through this all-important application process.”

Parties interested in applying for beneficiary status can do so online through the Ilkley Carnival website https://www.ilkleycarnival.org/primary-beneficiary/ or by emailing Ilkley Carnival secretary Mari Hunt for an application form on carnisec@gmail.com.

Deadline for applications is December 31 and successful shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview at 32-24 The Grove on the evening of January 13, 2025.

If you are interested in sponsorship, advertising or simply volunteering your time, please contact Ilkley Carnival Chairman Andrew Stacey on 07951 890836 for more details.