Memorial fireworks for four kids canceled over safety concerns

By Adam Dutton and Alison Bagley

A heartbreaking fireworks display in memory of four children who died this year has been axed at the last minute after a row over safety concerns.

The free Light Up the Sky Fireworks event was expected to draw more than 14,000 people to Stewarts & Lloyds Rugby Club in Corby, Northamptonshire, on Thursday night.

It was organized to honor the lives of youngsters Max Hall, Paisley McNamee, Danielle Sharpe and Ella Walden, whose deaths have devastated the local community.

But with just two days to go, organizers were forced to pull the plug after fire chiefs ruled the site could safely hold only 11,200 people because it had three gated exits.

Organizers insist there are actually five gates at the venue, which they say would allow up to 18,000 spectators to attend safely.

Syl Reilly, who helped raise more than £14,000 ($18,790) for the event, said she was left “gutted” by the decision.

She said: “I can’t believe it, I’m fuming. I’m furious, it’s being cancelled over two gates.

“There’s not an issue with the paperwork. Everything has been put in place. The council even said ‘whoever did this paperwork has done really well’.

“We have taken photos of five gates, which can be used as exits, at the venue but the council have only counted three.

“This means the number of people allowed in would be far fewer than expected meaning we would have to turn people away from a free event.

“We cannot do that so I had no choice but cancel it. I’m gutted.

“It was intended to honor the lives of four young people in our community who died this year and it’s just been ruined by red tape.”

The event was set to feature local DJs, bands and a choir, with more than 160 people including stewards, security staff, police, firefighters and first-aid volunteers signed up to help run it.

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One of the children being remembered was Max Hall, who died just days after his 14th birthday.

Max had been diagnosed with incurable brain cancer after doctors dismissed his headaches as “teenage migraines” and told him to take ibuprofen.

His mom, Jackie Hall, said the cancellation had left families devastated.

She said: “We are absolutely devastated and incredibly disappointed to hear that Light Up the Sky, the fireworks event being held in memory of Max, Paisley, Ella and Danielle, has been cancelled at such short notice following a disagreement regarding safety exits.

“The organizers’ intention was to bring our community together after what has been a truly devastating year for so many families, to create an evening of joy, happiness and togetherness, while also remembering our children and everyone who has sadly lost their lives this year.

“These fireworks have been the talk of the town. So many people were looking forward to coming together, supporting the event and sharing what was meant to be a really special evening.

“For those of us remembering children who should still be here, this event meant so much more than fireworks.

“It was about keeping their names alive, bringing people together and creating something positive out of unimaginable heartache.”

Jackie had been due to read a tribute to her son before the fireworks finale.

She added: “We fully appreciate that safety must always come first, and nobody would want an event to go ahead if it wasn’t safe to do so.

“However, it is incredibly upsetting that, after so much hard work and planning, matters have reached this point at such short notice.”

Council member Helen Campbell, who was part of the organizing group, said there had been no alternative.

She said: “It is incredibly disappointing. So many people have worked hard to pull it together and we really were all systems go for a fantastic community event.

“But without sign-off by the fire service for the numbers expected, we could not go ahead.”

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We advised the organizers that for the event to be safe to go ahead, the attendance must be limited to 11,200 people.”