Volunteer organisers behind local music festival High Tide are appealing for community donations as part of a crowdfunding campaign.

This year's not-for-profit High Tide Festival, established in 2019, will take place on Sunday 28 July, and is set to be its 'biggest ever' according to one of its founders, Kevin Jones.

The team behind the festival are hoping to raise £15,000 through this year's crowdfunding campaign: £5,541 has been raised at time of writing, Thursday 13 June, with just over two weeks left before its 2 July deadline.

Mr Jones, who co-owns local record shop Eel Pie Records, told Nub News that more than half of the free festival's funding comes from the local community, both from individuals and local business sponsors.

This cash, along with grants from Richmond Council and Discover Twickenham BID, allows the organisers to pay their 'excellent' musicians 'properly for their time and talent,' says Mr Jones.

"People love the festival so much they are willing to put their own money in to make it happen," he continues.

More than half of the festival's funding comes from business and individual community donations. (Photo: High Tide Festival)

Mr Jones himself is a volunteer, explaining: "I'm not lining my pockets. It's about providing something that's good, something that's a bit special."

He says this has shaped the way High Tide is funded, with the organisers turning down large corporations that don't align with its community-focused message.

"Things won't change unless we stand up and say 'we're not taking your money' [...] all the money coming into High Tide Festival is 'clean money,' if you like," adds Mr Jones.

The team is offering various rewards to backers of its crowdfunding campaign, including exclusive festival T-shirts, lino prints, and various rare vinyls from Mr Jones' Eel Pie Records.

High Tide Festival's crowdfunding page can be found here, while more information about the festival can be found here.