Friends and family of former Liverpool ECHO journalist Dan Kay came together today to play in the fourth annual charity game in his memory. The match took place at Kirkby Town FC this afternoon, Saturday October 3, raising money for the Dan Kay Foundation.
A Legacy Remembered
Dan worked at the Liverpool ECHO between 2003 and 2021 across the news and sports teams, playing a huge part in the coverage of the Hillsborough legal proceedings. He died suddenly in May 2023 aged 45. Since his passing three years ago, his family and friends have raised funds for the Dan Kay Foundation, which supports mental health and suicide awareness charities, youth organisations and foodbanks across the region.
His close friend and former colleague, Sam Carroll, helped create the annual charity matches to commemorate Dan and raise funds for his foundation. Sam told the ECHO: "Another incredible turnout for the annual game, and I am so proud of everyone for turning up, pitching in and continuing to further Dan’s iconic legacy. The game was played in a brilliant spirit once more and it gives everyone connected with the Foundation more drive to keep helping others, just as Dan did every single day."
Emotional Tributes
Chris Beesley, Everton reporter for Liverpool ECHO and Dan’s friend and colleague, said: "The Dan Kay Foundation is both uplifting and tragic. Uplifting because so much good work has come from it but tragic that it had to take our friend’s untimely passing to come into place, although of course all who have contributed have made a positive difference as we celebrate his life and legacy. Dan was a terrific but all-too-rare example of a football supporter who, without diluting the intense passion for his own team, also possessed a genuine respect, and to a degree, affection for local rivals. We should all be more Dan."
Dan's cousin, Amos Waldman, who attended the game, said: "It's amazing and it's emotional and really impactful, seeing all Dan's flags and the foundation flag. And especially the minute's applause before the game started. It gives you that warm glow around Dan and what he meant to everyone who was there supporting and obviously playing. It was a fitting tribute to him. As modest as Dan was, I'm sure he'd be proud and delighted to see everyone still coming together for him. It means a lot for his family to see that."
Match Result and Impact
The game saw Dan's friends come out victorious, winning 8-3 against his former Liverpool ECHO colleagues. The two teams held a minute's applause before the game. The Dan Kay Foundation has now raised almost £75,000, with money raised set to go towards mental health and suicide awareness charities, youth organisations and foodbanks across the region.
