Huddersfield Carnival is to return this summer despite a major funding cut.

The 31st two-day event is billed to take place on July 10 and 11 but will not include some of the key crowd-drawing events as in previous years, following the announcement of a funding cut by Kirklees Council.

And now an urgent call has been made for fundraising volunteers to ensure that the remaining parts of the festival can run by its organisers Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust (HACCT).

The event regularly attracts thousands of people from nearby and abroad, and last year pulled a crowd of 40,000 people.

But £28,000 has been removed from the £78,000 given to the group by the council, its principal funder, who decided that it could no longer afford to support the event due to budget cuts.

This has resulted in the scrapping of the famed community party in Greenhead Park, which took place in the afternoon after the parade.

Instead, the Hudawi Centre on Great Northern Street is hoped to be commissioned as the after-parade hub for visiting groups, but it is a site which only has room for 180 people.

Meanwhile, Friday night’s traditional Carnival Royale show and the Carnival J’ouvert Procession will also not go ahead to help cut costs further.

A glow parade will run instead, which will see performers and communities march through the centre on Friday evening with glow in the dark items.

The main Saturday parade will continue to run but will now end in a town centre location rather than at the park.

The situation could be made even worse next year, when the council will remove the final £50,000 of funding for good, a decision that was delayed this year following talks between the two parties.

Natalie Pinnock-Hamilton, one of the trustees of HACCT, said that a new fundraising campaign had been set up to start saving money for both this and future events.

She said: “We appreciate that in this time of austerity, difficult and harsh decisions have to be made in order to ensure necessary services continue to be delivered effectively and efficiently.

“We would like to make a plea for volunteers to help us seek funding which will enable the Trust to deliver its growth strategy.... and ensure the high standard of Carnival is maintained.

“We need help to raise funds to stage the Friday Night Glow Parade, Carnival Parade and workshops leading up to carnival weekend.

“We also need to pay for things like costume materials, design and decorating supplies, parade vehicle hire costs, staging and sound and event staff.

“Ways of doing this include through our new campaign entitled Make me Smile, other Just Giving and Crowdfunder fundraising methods and our memberships drive.

“We also aim to contact all those businesses who gain huge financial rewards on the day to help support the continuation of Carnival through sponsorship.

“We are positive that, if the whole community pull together, carnival will happen.”

To make a donation, text HCCT01 followed by £(donation amount) to 70070 or go to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/huddersfield-carnival.

To enquire about sponsorship, call 07961 189281 or email carnivaladmin@btconnect.com.