Sponsorship is vital to keep Stirling Highland Games afloat, organisers have warned this week.
Stirling-based social enterprise Ceangail has organised the games since 2014 and is appealing for sponsors in the run-up to the 2024 event.
Ceangail director Matt McGrandles said this week: “If the team can bring more funders on board for the 2024 event, covering the infrastructure plans, then Ceangail will continue to attract even more visitors to our historic city and continue to keep this leading cultural sporting event alive.
“This year’s event was one of the best delivered to date and it also, through ticket sales, returned the biggest fundraiser to date.
“However, the pandemic has caused businesses to tighten their sponsorship belts and as such the not-for-profit had to cover thousands of pounds of infrastructure to put the event on.”
The 2023 event attracted more than 4500 visitors, but sponsorship was down on previous years.
Ceangail is asking Stirling businesses and residents to get behind the 2024 gathering by becoming a sponsor or buying a ticket for the event.
Matt McGrandles said: “Unfortunately, this last couple of years have seen a decline in sponsorship levels and as such will have had a major impact on the future scalability of the event.
“I can’t thank Specsavers Stirling enough as they have been a rock since 2014, fully grasping the bigger picture of both our social aims as well as the positive impact the event brings to the city.
“I know there are more businesses out there that share our aims for the city, and I urge them to get in touch to help.
“The event provides so much opportunity, and not just for the athletes and visitors that attend, but also the businesses within Stirling.
“With almost 50 per cent of its visitors coming from overseas and up to 90 per cent coming from outwith Stirling itself there continues to be room for growth.”
Matt McGrandles said that due to an increase in costs, organisers are having to consider whether to hire a grandstand in 2024 with one-day hire costs now tripled to £9000.
He added: “If other costs start to present themselves, it will jeopardise our future growth plans including the many community benefits the event brings.”
If you or your business would like to help or support Ceangail with the games contact the office at [email protected] or call 0330 122 1997.
Ceangail CIC provides vocational training opportunities in tourism for young people aged 16-plus through its Skills Connect Academy.
Once candidates have completed their two days of training, they can choose which area of an event in which to hone their skills.
Since 2014, the Stirling Highland Games event has provided inspiration to 180 young people as they gain practical understanding of events, media, or heritage.
