Hillsborough disaster families to be awarded Liverpool's highest honour
Flowers on th pitch at Anfield in memory of those who died in the Hillsborough Stadium disaster _220
THE families of the 96 fans who died in the Hillsborough Disaster are to be awarded the city of Liverpool’s highest honour.
The Hillsborough families will join Liverpool’s Freedom Roll of Association in one of a series of special ceremonies being planned later this year.
Singer Gerry Marsden and former Liverpool Community
College principal Wally Brown will also be made Freemen of the City.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, and the award recognises the families’ work to support each other and the wider wider community affected by the tragedy.
Other organisations that will also join the roll of association are Liverpool Community College, Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services, community care group PSS, Tate Liverpool, Merseyside Sea Cadets Corps, and 208 (Liverpool ) Field Hospital (Volunteers).
Marina Dalglish, Sir Joe Dwyer, and Rev John Williams will also be made Citizens of Honour.
The city council will approve the nominations at a meeting next week, and the honours will be bestowed in a series of ceremonies over the next year.
Gerry Marsden said he was very proud and pleased to receive the honour from his home city.
He achieved fame with Gerry and the Pacemakers, whose hits Ferry ’Cross the Mersey and You’ll Never Walk Alone are now synonymous with the city.
“It’s a lovely feeling. Liverpool is the city I am proud of,” said Marsden, 66, who grew up in Toxteth and now lives in Parkgate.
The city decided to give him the honour not just because of his musical contribution to Liverpool but also his work with a host of different charitable organisations and good causes.
“The thing I love the most about Liverpool is the sense of humour and the Liverpool people, you can’t beat it. I am so chuffed and proud and very pleased.”
He said Lord Mayor Steve Rotheram had called him at the weekend to let him know of the honour.
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