A FESTIVAL on the brink of collapse in Swanage looks to have secured its short-term future after the community raised £15,000 in just over a week.

The Swanage Jazz Festival, which has delighted people for 34 years, was left with a staggering £15,000 loss after it sold less tickets for the 2025 festivities than previously budgeted.

Festival organisers took out short-term loans to pay all the artists and suppliers – but they need to repay these by Christmas.

They said that if the money is not raised before then, they would be unable to stage the festival in 2026 “and quite possibly forever”.

An online fundraising page was set up to help pay these loans, and £15,500 has so far been raised.

Festival director Paul Kelly said: “2025 has been a difficult year for the festivals and live events business across the country.

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“We sensed a problem with ticket sales back in late May but determined to keep going. We sold 150 fewer stroller tickets than budgeted and ended up with a £15,000 loss and no remaining reserves.

“That could have closed the festival for good with the loss of its high quality artistic programme.”

He added: “We had superb weather, great performances by the 60 artists in the festival and lots of positive feedback from the audience, about 200 of whom were first time visitors.

“But in spite of that success we have this looming problem of a £15,000 debt hanging over our heads and short term loans that need to be repaid.

“So we decided to ask our audiences, past and present, for help. We have been overwhelmed by the speed and generosity of their response. Donations big and small have been rolling in.”

The festival set a target to raise £25,000.

“There is still some way to go,” Kelly said, “But we are much more confident that we will reach our £25,000 appeal target by Christmas and are hopeful that the 2026 festival will go ahead as normal.

“The speed and level of donations indicate just how much the festival is valued and loved.”

Donations to support Swanage Jazz Festival’s appeal can be made to its Crowdfunder site https://tinyurl.com/36yhvxnt or direct to Swanage Jazz Festival’s appeal bank account Sort Code 30-65-38 Account Number 22269560

Festival organisers have pledged to return all donations if the appeal is not successful.