CommunityAnne Williams Memorial Golf Day set to support Dan Kay Foundation
The annual Anne Williams Memorial Golf Day has raised more than £100,000 for local charities since 2013 – and this year is honouring the memory of one of its own.
All proceeds from today’s event at Huyton & Prescot Golf Club will be donated to the Dan Kay Foundation, which aims to tackle stigma around mental health.
Dan, who passed away in May 2023, was a Liverpool Echo reporter and campaigner who forged a close bond with Anne Williams following the death of her son at Hillsborough.
When Anne died in 2012, Dan was instrumental in the foundation of a golf day in her name, which would go on to transform lives across the region.
“We’ve built this event up from giving out prizes like second-hand trophies and boxes of balls to helping charities all over Merseyside,” explained Ste Martin, one of six organisers.
“Over the years we’ve raised more than £100,000 for people doing amazing things for amazing people in our city. And this year, the charity we’ve chosen is so close to our hearts.
“Without Dan we wouldn’t have an event. He saw what we were trying to do all those years ago and he was our link to the family.
“He went to them on our behalf and said, ‘These lads have got their heart in the right place, and I think you should trust them.’
“Sara [Anne’s daughter] was a bit unsure at first. ‘Why do these four strangers want to hold a golf day in my mum’s name?’ And now look; she’s the first one up on the tables dancing at our party in the night.
“It’s going to be more emotional than ever this year, because we’re doing it in memory of Dan.”
Dan’s passing prompted an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from the Liverpool FC community and far beyond and his legacy was even honoured with a tribute in Parliament.
He was renowned for his tireless campaigning, principled journalism and dedication to charity.
He was adored for his immensely kind and caring personality.
Last month, at Anfield, his Foundation was launched with the aim of driving forward improvements to mental health services across the region.
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“In terms of choosing our charity for this year’s event, it wasn’t a conversation,” said Ste.
“For me, personally, it’ll be so emotional to raise funds in his name because he was the type of friend I wanted in my life. I had my own battles a few years ago and he supported me.
“There’s a saying that’s come about since his passing – ‘be more like Dan’. The stuff that Dan did that people didn’t know about is testament to the type of person he was.
“He’d volunteer to feed the homeless on Christmas Day, volunteer at dog shelters. All these little things made him, and for a Foundation to carry on his work, it’s a no-brainer for us to support it.
“He was part of us; we are part of Dan. We will always be there for the Foundation.”
- To donate to the Dan Kay Foundation via the Anne Williams Golf Day, go here
The golf day continues to thrive and, with each passing year, further enshrine Anne’s legacy.
Her son Kevin was 15 when he lost his life at Hillsborough.
From that tragic April afternoon in 1989 through to her final days, she fought non-stop to unearth the truth about his death.
Her sheer devotion and selflessness inspired an entire city.
Rocked by Anne’s passing in April 2013, Ste, along with fellow fans Andy Hudson, Sean O’Reilly-Doyle and Gareth Penman, organised the first golf day in her memory.
It has since become an institution.
“We’ve built a community – people meet each other for the first time and make friendships for life,” explained Ste.
“They travel from all corners of the UK and beyond to be involved. Every person who walks through the door buys into what we’re trying to achieve and what we stand for.
“We’re as proud as ever that Anne’s legacy is supporting amazing people in this city when they need it most. We try to do nice things for nice people, and nice people deserve our support.”
Ahead of today’s event, messages flowed in from icons such as Sir Kenny Dalglish, Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher and Ronnie Whelan.
World-renowned golfer and Kopite Tyrrell Hatton, who first came onboard after Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League victory, has once again expressed his backing.
And on a day when attendees will celebrate and honour special legacies, the sudden and tragic news of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva’s passing will be at the forefront of people’s minds too.
“There’s no doubt at the end of the night we’ll have a sing-song, and no doubt Jota’s name will be sung,” said Ste.
“We’re all match-goers and that news has affected everyone in different ways, but we’ll always cherish and remember the good times – and there’s been few better times than his goal against Everton last season, to name just one.”