TAUNTON Pride has launched an online fundraiser to restore the vandalised Rainbow Path in Goodland Gardens.

The group is looking to raise £5,000 and has set up a fundraising page on Just Giving today (Friday, January 12) after the path was painted over.

Rob Ewers, one of the directors, said: “The Rainbow Path was due for a refresher anyway.

“Since this happened [the path being vandalised], we are going to raise £5,000 which is enough for a complete refresh to make it look new.

“We hope that with Taunton Town Council we are able to install some CCTV, and we hope to raise some of the funds with this fundraiser.

“Any extra that we raise will go towards the Taunton Pride 2024 event.”

Somerset County Gazette: The path in Goodland Gardens has been painted overThe path in Goodland Gardens has been painted over (Image: Contributed)

Rob also added: “In the last two years, I have been engaging with a lot of people in Taunton, and literally everybody was supportive. Taunton was just overwhelmingly supportive.”

The GoCreate group will be in charge of restoring the rainbow.

The group was originally behind the creation of the path in 2021.

Back then, the group said: "The rainbow footpath will signal to both visitors and the community that Taunton is making considerable steps towards embracing equality, diversity, and inclusion and visibly trying to overcome any inequalities.

"We would like to take these practical steps - by creating these bright and colourful installations – towards making Taunton an accepting, inclusive place to be and that everyone is welcome regardless of how they might identify within the community."