Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News

‘He was like my best friend... he’s always been my rock’

- BY CHARLOTTE HADFIELD

AHILLSBORO­UGH survivor whose family say took his own life was described by his daughter as her “best friend”.

Chris Lam died at his home in Widnes on April 7 at the age of 52. His daughter Rebecca, 20, said her dad had suffered with depression since the 1989 disaster and had spent his life campaignin­g “tirelessly for justice”.

Rebecca said: “He was a Hillsborou­gh survivor, he’s struggled a lot since then, and always struggled in April in the lead up to the anniversar­y.

“We knew he was struggling but we’ve all said none of us expected he would have done anything like this.”

Paying tribute to her dad, Rebecca said he was a “well known” and “genuine” man, who was part of Widnes Running Club where he was known by the nickname “Mr Widnes”.

Rebecca said: “He was genuine, he was full of life, always willing to give a hand to anybody. He was there for anybody to have a chat.

“He was like my best friend, we just bounced off each other. We kept each other going, he’s always been my rock.

“He was so well known we couldn’t go anywhere without him bumping into somebody that he knew.”

Rebecca has now set up a Gofundme page to raise money for the Hillsborou­gh Survivors Support Alliance, who provided counsellin­g to her dad, and Amparo, a charity that offers support to anyone affected by suicide.

In a message on the fundraisin­g page, Rebecca said: “Chris was a wonderful man who brought happiness wherever he went. He was warm, kind, generous, funny, a sportsman, a supporter, a friend to many, a loved one and a doting father.

“He was also a massive Liverpool FC supporter and a Hillsborou­gh survivor. He campaigned tirelessly for justice and felt passionate­ly about the work of the HSA.

“He very sadly ended his own life in April 2022. Amparo have offered invaluable support to his loved ones during this difficult time.

“We believe that raising money for these two organisati­ons in his name will help leave a positive legacy.”

He campaigned tirelessly for justice

 ?? ?? ● Hillsborou­gh survivor Chris Lam, pictured above with his daughter Rebecca, died at his home in Widnes on April 7 at the age of 52
● Hillsborou­gh survivor Chris Lam, pictured above with his daughter Rebecca, died at his home in Widnes on April 7 at the age of 52
 ?? ?? ● Chris Lam was known as ‘Mr Widnes’
● Chris Lam was known as ‘Mr Widnes’

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