More than 100 people attended the event to remember the late Echo reporter and Hillsborough campaigner
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Dan Kay Foundation and launch of LFC Stories book at Royal Liver Building. Pictured Amos Waldman. Photo by Colin Lane
Dan Kay Foundation chair Amos Waldman at the official launch of the charity honouring his late cousin
(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Former Liverpool Echo reporter Dan Kay was remembered at an event to mark the official joint launch of a charity set up in his name and the publication of a book containing some of his best-loved stories. More than 100 people gathered in the Liver Building to hear about the work of the Dan Kay Foundation and what it had already achieved.
Last week LFC Stories - Fascinating Tales From Liverpool's Incredible History was published by Reach Sport which is part of the Liverpool ECHO's parent company. The articles were curated by Dan's colleague and former ECHO journalist Sam Carroll with a foreword by his footballing hero Sir Kenny Dalglish.
Speakers at Thursday night's event included foundation chair and Dan's cousin Amos Waldman, trustees Leanne Devine, Sam Carroll and Maria Breslin, Steve Whittle, founder of men's mental health and suicide charity Tough to Talk, and foundation member Steve Hart who read out a message on behalf of Dan's close friend Sara Williams.
The event was sponsored by Doughty Street Chambers and law firm Leigh Day which has an office in Liverpool's Plaza Building. The practice's human rights partner Leanne Devine worked alongside Dan during the Hillsborough inquests where she represented families. She also represented Dan's family during the inquest into his death.
Dan was known all over the city and wider region for his pioneering journalism, his tireless campaigning for Hillsborough justice and his kind and caring personality. On May 7, 2023, at the age of 45, he was hit by a train close to Mossley Hill Train Station. Dan's death prompted a huge outpouring of sadness and love from his family, many friends and former colleagues.
His remarkable achievements and legacy were honoured with a tribute in Parliament, a posthumous doctorate at Liverpool Hope University and the creation of new charity - The Dan Kay Foundation. Dan tirelessly donated his time to charities and good causes across the North West and the charity aims to continue his legacy while tackling stigma around mental health and suicide and spreading kindness.
A signed Curtis Jones LFC shirt donated by the club and a signed EFC shirt were among the prizes while the event was supported by the independent Linghams Booksellers in Heswall and the Liver Building.
Dan's cousin Amos, chair of the Dan Kay Foundation, said: "It was a pleasure to see so many of Dan's family and friends at this iconic venue for the joint official launch of the Dan Kay Foundation and Dan's book, LFC Stories. It was a fitting venue that Dan was extremely fond of.
"It was a huge moment for us and one that Dan would have been rightly proud of. We at the Dan Kay Foundation are too. A massive thanks to fellow trustees - Dan’s friend and former ECHO colleague, Sam Carroll, whose concept this book was, and Maria Breslin, The ECHO’s editor. Both were responsible for putting the idea of LFC Stories into print.
"A collection of Dan's writing at its finest, it showcases many of his finest attributes. His analysis, attention to detail, his loyalty, integrity, generosity, empathy, encyclopaedic knowledge and his storytelling. And the foreword was written by Dan's footballing Idol Sir Kenny Dalglish. Please do buy it.
"Huge thanks to everyone who has supported us so far including The ECHO and others who have written about the charity's activities. We hope we can rely on your continued support going forward and look forward to announcing more exciting initiatives in the coming weeks."
Leanne Devine, also a foundation trustee, said: "As someone who knew Dan through his work in covering many social justice issues in the city, I am extremely proud to be part of the Dan Kay Foundation, and that Leigh Day can help sponsor the Foundation's event to launch Dan's book.
"In addition to fundraising to support local causes, the Dan Kay Foundation aims to drive forward improvements to our mental health services across the region. In my years of representing clients who have been impacted by failures with mental health care, I have seen first-hand how important the foundation's work will be.
"In relation to Dan, the kindness he displayed across our Liverpool community was immense and something we can all learn from."
You can buy LFC Stories - Fascinating Tales From Liverpool's Incredible History here.