Willesden activist is campaigning for a St Patrick’s Parade in Brent next year

Christina Connolly is aiming to find the �20,000 needed to hold the event in 2013

A champion award-winning activist is campaigning to raise sponsorship for next year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Brent.

Christina Connolly, from Willesden, who has been on the organising committee of the festival in the past, will try to find the �25,000 necessary to hold the celebration next year after the council announced it will scrap its funding.

Ms Connolly, who works for the charity Brent Irish Advisory Service, plans to raise money by asking Irish businesses in the area to help, as well as organising events such as dinner dances and car rallies.

She said:” We are very disappointed that the funding for the festival is called off, but when essential services are being cut, it is hard to moan.”

The event was traditionally centred on the Willesden Green library, but since the building is set to be demolished as a part of a new development, Ms Connolly and her team will have to find a new venue.

The charity worker added that, even though the festival is organised by the Irish community, it is intended to include all residents of Brent.

She said: “We have Irish food and entertainment, but we welcome everyone. It is a nice way to bring people together.”

Michael Kearney, treasurer of St. Patrick’s Day advisory committee, hopes that this year’s parade will not be the last one.

He said: “It is a great day out for family and friends. It also generates business for the area because it attracts up to six thousand people from outside the borough.”