Hillsborough disaster

For the weeks that followed the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, Billy Butler continued to broadcast his daily show on Radio Merseyside.

As a city became united in grief, he was aware of how important it was to reflect upon the events until the funeral of the final victim.

He later described it as one of the most challenging times as a radio presenter, but also one of the most rewarding.

During this time he said he and his co-presenter Wally Scott were overwhelmed with the amount of letters they received from listeners, old and young, all sharing their, grief, anger and support for the families.

"Wally and I attended funerals and visited people. I kept all the correspondence I received during those weeks as I'm very proud of it."

One letter written in a child's handwriting said

"Instead of sending flowers I have drawn a bunch of flowers and I'm sending £5 for the families and friends of the people who were killed in the Hillsborough tragedy. This has made me very sad.

Jodie Prior Age 8
Richard Prior Age 4
Heather Prior Age 2
Vikki Prior Age 1."

Billy managed to trace Jodie, now 28, who recalls how she felt when she drew the flowers with her Nan at home.

Now with two children of her own she talks about how she will make sure they grow up aware of what happened at Hillsborough twenty years ago.