Join the GCA march at Pride In London for the third year running
Aaaaaand we’re off again with the greetings industry showing its D&I rainbow colours by supporting Pride In London for the third year running – or marching actually!
The GCA has secured 50 walking places in the capital’s annual event, on Sunday, 5 July, this year, to join in with the 30,000-plus participants on the mile-long route through the capital, and enjoying engaging with the huge crowds lining the streets, the video from the previous event can be seen below.
“I’m really excited to be leading the GCA at Pride In London for a third year running,” said Mark Callaby, MD of Ohh Deer and head of the GCA D&I subcommittee. “We have 50 places and they’re likely to be snapped up quickly – so sign up sooner rather than later if you’d like to march with us and help us hand out thousands of greeting cards celebrating love and pride.”
Places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis and you can sign up here – the GCA group’s set-off time isn’t known yet so do keep the whole day clear for now, and remember that you’ll have to cover your own travel and accommodation costs.
Above: The cards went down a storm with the crowds at the 2024 event
Mark is also looking for help designing the 30,000 exclusive Pride greeting cards that will be given away to the thousands of people lining the route on the day so any LGBTQ+ designers are asked to submit their designs to mark@ohhdeer.com.
At last year’s event 25,000 specially-printed greeting cards were handed out along the route – the parade assembles on Park Lane then travels down Piccadilly, crossing Piccadilly Circus, along Haymarket, turning left towards Trafalgar Square and ending in Whitehall Place – which pleased Mark and the GCA team as in 2023 they’d run out of their stock of 10,000 designs just a quarter of the way along!
GCA CEO Amanda Fergusson added: “We want you to be part of the celebration – join us on the march and walk with us as we spread love positivity, and thousands of beautiful greeting cards along the parade route.
“Pride is more than just an event – it’s a powerful movement that champions equality, visibility, and acceptance. As an industry that thrives on emotional connection and communication, the greeting card community has a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
“We’re also looking for both paid sponsors and suppliers to help print cards, provide envelopes, etc, and make this event bigger and better. Your support helps us share messages of inclusivity, kindness, and pride – one card at a time!”
In addition to being one of the marchers, there are various opportunities to support the event although brand names can’t be featured along the parade route. From individual donations to the £250, £500, £1,000 and £2,000 sponsorship packages, there’s also the 30,000 cards needed for this year’s event where a printer, board supplier, envelope supplier and packing partner are needed, plus t-shirt supplier and printer.
To secure your spot in the parade or to become a sponsor, more information is available on the GCA website by clicking here.
