ST ALBANS Cathedral has launched a crowd-funding appeal to mount a socially distanced firework display, replacing the annual park event which has been cancelled owing to the pandemic.

The new plan, “Look Up Together”, on 7 November would consist of several simultaneous ten-minute displays of fireworks from undisclosed locations, designed to be seen from almost all residential areas in the city, with fireworks rising up to 120 metres. The event would also be livestreamed on the cathedral’s YouTube channel.

The cost of the park event is usually more than covered by ticket sales. The crowdfunding appeal therefore aims to raise the £20,000 needed for the fireworks, but organisers are hoping for £30,000, so that charities in the area could also benefit, as they have in previous years.

If the campaign is successful, any surplus funds raised would go to the Hospice of St Francis; Youth Talk, a counselling service in St Albans; and the cathedral’s Covid-19 financial recovery plan. If the cathedral is unable to raise the money, however, the event will be cancelled, and the donations returned.

Paul Dean, who chairs the cathedral’s fireworks committee, said: “We were inspired by New York’s approach to this year’s 4 July celebrations, with Macy’s organising aerial displays that could be seen without people needing to leave their homes.”

Visit the crowdfunder here