TRIBUTES have been paid to a Merseyside journalist and campaigner after he died suddenly aged 45. 

Former Liverpool Echo journalist Dan Kay campaigned on behalf of families and survivors of the Hillsborough disaster, and was honorary secretary of Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation at Princes Road Synagogue.

Dan had a number of connections to Wirral where he attended Kingsmead School in Hoylake as a boarder between 1984 and 1991. 

His grandfather was well-known Wallasey GP Dr Jack Waldman.

Despite being an avid supporter of Liverpool FC, Dan was also a regular at Prenton Park where he had many friends.

Rob Pattinson, a former colleague of Dan’s at the Liverpool Echo regularly attended Tranmere games with him. 

He said: “Dan was one of the kindest people I have ever met. He was so passionate about football, and despite being a lifelong Red loved Everton and Tranmere as well. His enthusiasm was infectious and you could chat to him for hours about football, his knowledge was incredible.

“One of my fondest memories is of sharing a beer with him and the rest of our group sat on a wall outside Wembley, celebrating our promotion back to League One in 2019. We teased him about buying a half-half scarf but he doubled down and wore that thing to many a home game for years afterwards.

 

“Dan made a huge impression on the lives of so many - his caring and supportive nature, both professionally and as a friend, was unparalleled. If more people were like Dan, the world would be a better place.”

Dan helped lead the Echo’s coverage of the Hillsborough legal proceedings, and was a regular contributor to the ECHO's sports desk, sharing his deep love of Liverpool FC and its history with readers.

He co-wrote With Hope In Her Heart, a powerful account of the late Anne Williams’ fight for justice for her son Kevin, 15, and the other Liverpool supporters unlawfully killed at Hillsborough.

Paying tribute to Dan on Twitter, Wirral South MP Alison McGovern, wrote: "Devastating news. Sending love to all who loved him. Dan was an absolute hero in telling the truth about Hillsborough. He was there every step of the way. I can't believe he has gone."

 

Yesterday (Tuesday, May 9) in Parliament, Ms McGovern raised a point of order so that Dan's achievements would be noted in Hansard, the permanent record of the House of Commons.

Ms McGovern said: "The first debate in this house arising from a public petition was that on the Hillsborough Stadium disaster in 2011 and I'm sorry to tell you that one of the campaigning journalists who made that debate happen, Dan Kay, died this weekend.

"Dan made an extraordinary, pioneering contribution to journalism and he was an incredible support to bereaved families and survivors during the very traumatic second inquest."

She then asked Deputy Commons Speaker Rosie Winterton how best Dan's legacy could be remembered. The Deputy Speaker responded to say: "She has succeeded in putting this sad news on the record and I'm sure that colleagues from all sides of the house will wish to join her in sending their condolences to Dan's family and friends."

A date has not yet been confirmed for Dan's funeral although it is expected to take place at Broadgreen Jewish Cemetery.