Dan Kay's cousin running London Marathon in memory of inspirational former ECHO journalist

The cousin of the inspirational former ECHO journalist Dan Kay will run the London Marathon in his memory.

Award-winning journalist and campaigner Dan died at the age of 45 in May 2023. He was known for his pioneering work, his relentless efforts in support of the victims and families of the Hillsborough disaster and for his love of football.

Dan was a senior figure in Liverpool's Jewish community and worked tirelessly on behalf of families and survivors of the Hillsborough disaster. He ran the ECHO's live coverage of the second Hillsborough inquests, which concluded that those who died on April 15, 1989 were unlawfully killed.

READ MORE: 'Our day of tears': How the ECHO has reported on the Hillsborough disaster over 35 years

READ MORE: 97 candles burn bright: the Hillsborough victims remembered

Dan worked with the late Anne Williams's daughter Sara to co-write 'With Hope In Her Heart', a powerful account of Anne's fight for justice for her son Kevin, 15, and the other Liverpool supporters unlawfully killed at Hillsborough. He also worked meticulously to compile individual tributes to those who lost their lives, spending time with many of the families affected over the years and campaigning on their behalf.

His cousin Amos Waldman, who is from the Heaton Chapel area of Stockport, has spoken to the M.E.N about his family's loss and his plans to run in Dan's memory.

“[Mental health] was something he struggled with when he was younger,” barrister Amos, 44, said. "He did a podcast in 2018 where he looked back and reflected on it, and it sounded like he had learnt from it and was warning people about his experience so people could learn from it.

“Sadly, a number of things happened that contributed to his mental health deteriorating again. For someone who had so many friends and so many people who loved him, he still didn’t seek the help he needed until it was too late.

“He didn’t shy away from it and he was always open about it. Unfortunately, by the time he deteriorated many of us found out too late.”

Amos can recall the moment he found out Dan had died. “I was out running and my dad rang me and I took the call on my earbuds,” he said.

“He said something and I initially lost connection so had to ring him back. I remember he was in tears and I stopped running and I just shouted. I couldn’t believe it.

“It was such a shock and it still is because it doesn’t feel real. That laughing, chatty man we all knew is still so much etched into our memories that it doesn’t seem real. It’s been surreal going to memorials and stuff.

“To me, it felt like I shouldn’t have been there. He should be here and I really wish he was.

“It was a horrible trauma. Everyone who knew him was in a state of shock, disbelief and emptiness. He’s just left a huge hole in everyone's lives.”

Since Dan's death, his friends and family have put together a number of fundraising events to raise money for charities and causes that he held dear, including Mind, Imagine if Trust and An Hour for Others. This included the first annual Dan Kay Memorial Trophy football match played between his friends and former colleagues in Kirkby last October, raising more than £1,150 for local food banks.

Amos, who is in the process of setting up a foundation in memory of Dan, added: “We just wanted to do something because he was such an amazing person and fought against injustice. We wanted him to have the legacy he deserved.

“We’ve been raising money for causes we think would have been close to Dan’s heart and would have made a real difference. The information we’ve received so far is that the money has done that. We’re really pleased.

“Every time I met Dan, I always looked forward to it. He made everyone he spoke to feel like they were really important, like they were the only person in the room who mattered.

“The outpouring of grief for him, I’d never seen anything like it. He was such a nice guy – warm, caring and just gave everything for everyone else.”

Amos recently completed the Liverpool Half Marathon to raise money for Tough to Talk in Dan’s memory, a charity which aims to reduce male suicide and destroy stigma in male-dominated spaces.

Cash raised from the event will help fund 100 ‘Tough Talkers’ in suicide first aid and help raise awareness. Amos is now set to take part in the London Marathon after being offered a place.

“It was an opportunity I felt I could not pass up,” Amos said, “Albeit with eight weeks to train.

“I am delighted to be able to continue the fundraising for Dan and Tough to Talk. I will wear my purple Dan Kay t-shirt with pride.”

You can donate to Amos' fundraiser by clicking here.

The Liverpool Daily Post newsletter delves into the biggest stories on Merseyside