There will be special prayers said today at Liverpool Town Hall in remembrance of the Hillsborough disaster and all those affected by it. On Saturday it will be 17 years to the day since the disaster took place, when 96 Liverpool supporters needlessly died.
The Lord Mayor and the Rector of Liverpool, Reverend Steven Brooks are to join together in prayer for those fans and their families. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Alan Dean, spoke about the disaster to the Liverpool City Council’s website: “Hillsborough affected so many lives not just in Merseyside but across the whole of the UK. The passing years do not diminish the importance and the poignancy of this occasion. This ceremony and the annual memorial service at Anfield mean that we will never forget the old and young who died as a result of this terrible disaster.”
One of those taking part is the chairman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group – Phil Hammond, whose 14-year-old son Philip died that day. Mr Hammond said: “I’m really pleased that the city council is once again doing something to mark the anniversary of Hillsborough. As the father of one of the 96 who died I feel strongly about making sure that their memories live on.”
On Saturday the annual memorial service takes place at Anfield. Organised as always by the Hillsborough Family Support Group, the service starts at 2.45pm. A minute’s silence will be held at 3.06pm. All are welcome to attend the Anfield ceremony.