Journalist's legacy 'stronger than ever' says ex-colleague

A charity set up in memory of a much-loved former regional daily journalist has raised more than £50,000 in the three years since his death.

Liverpool Echo writer Dan Kay, pictured, died in May 2023 after a long battle with mental health.

Three years on, former colleagues have reflected on his legacy in the form of the Dan Kay Foundation, set up to raise money for the causes closest to his heart.

Echo political editor Liam Thorp recalled that what began as a plan to raise a few hundred quid with a football match turned into a remarkable charity which has raised £50,000.

Wrote Liam: "Dan was known to many as an inspirational journalist and campaigner and to many, many others as a dear friend, family member and colleague. Wherever he went in life he tried to help and support others.

"So it is fitting that in the three years since he died, the Dan Kay Foundation (DKF) has continued his legacy with a huge fundraising effort, focussed on causes close to Dan's heart.

"The idea for the charity started with Dan's friends and family, who were still coming to terms with his passing in 2023, organising a charity fundraising football match with the aim of raising £300 for three charities.

"Since then, the now registered charity has gone from strength to strength and has so far raised an incredible £50,000, with every single penny poured back into those causes and organisations that meant so much to Dan during his life."

Charities and other good causes helped by the Foundation include the Hillsborough Law Now campaign, the Covid Bereaved Families for Justice movement, the Martin Gallier Project, The Inclusive Hub and Alder Hey's hospital charity.

The funds have also enabled Liverpool charity Alfie's Squad - which provides specialist suicide bereavement support for children and young people - to purchase a support hut in the Baltic Triangle for children who have lost a parent or guardian to suicide.

Amos Waldman, Dan's cousin and founder of the DKF said: "Another year without my "cuz" is still painful but this year, what we've achieved, in his memory, feels special.

"Many people have been helped by our grants, which have spread Dan's kindness and made us all #bemoredan."

Close friend Jimmy Pilnick, who took on the Barcelona half-marathon in Dan's memory, as well as three Liverpool Half Marathons, raising £10k overall said: "Dan is always at the forefront of our minds.

"I’m proud of playing my part in keeping Dan’s memory alive by volunteering for the foundation and getting to meet many fantastic like-minded people in the process."

Joe Rimmer, who was Dan's sports editor at the Echo, said: "Dan was the kindest person I've ever met. He always put others first and wanted to help, whether he knew you well or you were a stranger.

"The Dan Kay Foundation has been an incredible extension of what he was about: kindness, loving his city, helping other people and respecting everybody equally. I will never be able to put into words what an incredible person he was, but it is brilliant to see his legacy live on."

Echo colleague and DKF co-founder Sam Carroll added: "Dan Kay was the best of us. I am proud to have worked alongside Dan, and three years later, I am just as proud of his family and close friends who have achieved so many incredible things in his name.

"Dan Kay will forever be one of the most talented and iconic journalists, philanthropists and humans this city will ever produce. I am incredibly excited to continue furthering his legacy with so many kind-hearted, compassionate and brilliant people."