Much-loved St Mary's Church in Hitchin has launched a £12k appeal in order to be able to live stream services on a permanent basis.

Lockdown has been tough for us all, but many from Hitchin have been boosted by virtual services from the town's iconic church during nearly a year of the Covid crisis.

While St Mary's parishioners are not allowed to visit the site, which dates back to 792, they have been able to enjoy watching live streamed services.

However, the provision was created on a shoestring, uses borrowed equipment, and is very time consuming to set up and take down, by the two people with the necessary expertise.

£12k investment required to ensure future

While the virtual services have given succour to many, this was only a temporary solution. The church now needs to move their video provision to a permanent fixture with the capability that anyone with appropriate instruction can use it - which requires an investment of around £12,000 to implement.

A spokesperson for St Mary's said: "It is likely that live streaming of services will give invaluable access to worship at St Mary's for many people for the foreseeable future.

"Long term, in this technological age, we would also be able to use it for weddings, funerals, special services and other events in St Mary's.

"So, we are making this urgent appeal for contributions towards the cost of this investment in the future work of St Mary's in serving its members and the wider community."

If you would like to make a donation click here