WORCESTERSHIRE’S first virtual Pride was a success, says organisers.

After a successful Worcestershire Pride in 2019, the committee were gearing up to host their fourth LGBT+ Pride festival this September.

However, the group lost essential funding this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic and had to cancel.

Instead of having no Pride event at all, the committee decided to host a Virtual Pride live on Facebook on the date that Pride should have been held.

A range of contributions were sent in, from spoken word to energetic musical performances to entertain everyone.

Chairman Mathew Skilbeck said: “Our team worked incredibly hard to see if we could make the Pride work, but sadly, with the effects of Coronavirus on funding and rules on gatherings, the event just couldn’t go ahead this year.

“We didn’t want people to miss out altogether, so worked to create an online event that everyone could access from home.

“The committee was overwhelmed by the effort that people made and want to thank everyone who took the time to help. We’ll be back bigger and better next year and have some fantastic ideas up our sleeves to make Pride 2021 our best Pride yet.”

The full video of the festival, which lasted two and a half hours, can be found on the Worcestershire Pride Facebook page now.

Worcestershire Pride is a not for profit organisation and donations can be sent here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mathew-skilbeck-1?utm_term=QyRzMKdWq

Firefighters from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service were seen flying the LGBT+ flag for the virtual Pride event outside Worcester Fire Station.

If anyone would like to get involved in any aspects of Pride they can contact Mathew by emailing info@worcestershirepride.org