An award-winning political journalist is set to run a half marathon in memory of a former colleague.

Liverpool Echo political editor Liam Thorp, pictured, will take on the Liverpool half marathon next weekend for the Dan Kay Foundation.

The charity was set up in memory of former Echo journalist Dan Kay, who took his own life in 2023.

His inquest, which Liam covered, found mental health professionals missed opportunities to prevent the death.

In a first-person piece about his new running challenge, Liam wrote: “When the news came in 2023 that Dan had died, it was difficult to comprehend.

“When it later emerged he had taken his own life it was heartbreaking to imagine someone so kind who had been suffering so badly.

“I reported on Dan’s inquest last year – which was one of the most emotionally difficult experiences of my career, but something we felt was vital to do and to do properly.

“It became clear during those proceedings that our esteemed former colleague and friend had been failed by mental health services as his condition declined and that key opportunities were missed to save him.

“After Dan’s death, his friends and family launched the Dan Kay Foundation, a new charity aimed at honouring Dan’s amazing legacy by spreading kindness, creating opportunities for the less fortunate and crucially tackling the stigma around mental health.

“I couldn’t think of a better cause to raise money for or a better man to do it in the name of.”

Liam was awarded the Specialist Journalist of the Year prize at last week’s Regional Press Awards.

The Liverpool half-marathon takes place on Sunday, 23 March.  To donate to Liam’s fundraiser, click here.