When Liverpool, Everton and Tranmere Rovers football clubs all come together, it must be for a good cause.
Sadly for former Liverpool Echo journalist and Hillsborough campaigner Dan Kay (pictured above), the support of the three Merseyside clubs is in his memory – but is a reflection of the selfless generosity he displayed throughout his life.
The Dan Kay Foundation is a community founded charity that was launched earlier this year in honour of Dan, who died suddenly in 2023 at the age of 45.
Just as Dan valued those around him and always looked to provide help for charities and in his local synagogue, The Dan Kay Foundation has been set up to support those less fortunate by providing opportunities that may otherwise seem unattainable. Established with Dan’s kind nature firmly in mind, The Foundation also aims to aid those in society dealing with stigmatised subjects such as mental health.
Dan’s generosity was demonstrated through his charitable actions. He would spend Christmas Eve’s making food hampers for under-privileged families just so they wouldn’t go without on Christmas Day. Now The Foundation aims to replicate the incredible work Dan carried out in the community.
Fundraising events such as a memorial charity football match played at the Liverpool Academy involving Dan’s close friends and ECHO colleagues have helped raise over £15,000 since Dan passed away that will now be donated to organisations working in mental health.
Former Liverpool Echo colleague and close friend of Dan, Sam Carroll, who is a co-founder of The Foundation, said: “The generosity of people has been incredible. We got raffle prizes from Liverpool, Everton, Tranmere, Montirex. All these amazing clubs and brands that when they heard about Dan and the story, wanted to get involved and try and help in some way.”
With World Mental Health Day being marked on October 10, one in six people report experiencing a common mental health problem in any given week in England, with one in five people having suicidal thoughts.
According to Mind, women are more likely to have suicidal thoughts than men but men are three times more likely to take their own life. Mind is yet another organisation that Dan worked closely with. For them to now be working alongside The Dan Kay Foundation is a credit to what is being achieved in his name and the help charity is providing around sensitive or taboo topics.
Another group the Dan Kay Foundation has partnered with is Tough to Talk. Sam said: “They’re offering mental health and suicide crisis awareness training and help people having those difficult conversations or recognising the signs of people experiencing mental health struggles.”
View this post on Instagram
In the medium term, Sam and everyone involved with The Foundation are close to releasing a book of Dan’s best work.
“Discussions have taken place with his university, Liverpool Hope, about some form of tribute from the university. They’ve been amazing and that looks like something that could come to light,” revealed Sam.
However, the biggest statement The Foundation hope to make is regarding legislation around mental health.
Said Sam: “Long term, it’s probably changing government legislation around the care of people who are suffering with mental health or suicide crisis and trying to really strengthen the law around it. We want to making sure that people who are struggling are getting the support that is needed.”
Added Sam: “We all have this passion to continue Dan’s legacy because we all loved him so much.”
A GoFundMe was set up to help fund a range of initiatives including suicide first aid training and mental health awareness sessions, food for vulnerable families and a range of extracurricular sessions for young people in Liverpool.
A £1500 GoFundMe target was set for the charity football match. That target was reached this week but fundrasing efforts won’t stop there. By continuing the work of a man who always put others before himself and touched the hearts of so many, The Dan Kay Foundation is spreading kindness while tackling stigma around mental health. As the charity’s hashtag pledges, we can all Be More Dan.
You can donate to the annual Dan Kay Memorial Trophy fund HERE.
Follow The Dan Kay Foundation on X for latest news and updates.
