One Day in April A Hillsborough Story: A mothers journey through love, loss and her fight for justice

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It is a privilege to know her - Jordan Henderson

Pathos-laced memoires on every page - Steve Rotheram

A truly absorbing and moving read - Sue Johnston

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On the morning of Saturday 15 April 1989, Jenni Hicks, her husband, and their two teenage daughters, Sarah and Vicki, went to watch a football match. That was to be their last day as a family. Sarah and Vicki didn't come home, and Jenni's world was changed forever.

Since that fateful day, Jenni has tirelessly campaigned for justice for her own and others' families. But this is not the story of the Hillsborough tragedy. This is a story of what came before and after that day: of a mother's love, her unimaginable bravery, a flame of hope that never died, and a quest for justice that has lasted three decades. It is a journey that has taken her from Allerton Cemetery to the Courts of Appeal, from the depths of despair to meetings with Prime Ministers and royalty.

With the final court cases coming to a conclusion in spring 2021, Jenni's role as the longest-serving committee member of the Hillsborough Family Support Group is coming to an end - and she can finally give herself permission to grieve solely as a mother, rather than as a campaigner.

One Day In April is the first time that Jenni has spoken about her story in full, and is a unique and poignant tribute to the lives that Sarah and Vicki lost, and the final word from the extraordinary mother they left behind.

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Her tenacity and courage is astonishing - Prof Phil Scraton

Utterly gripping - Jimmy McGovern

Her strength is inspiring - Simon Rimmer

Quite remarkable - David Dein

Reviews

By a woman at the very heart of the Hillsborough story, this book is utterly gripping -- Jimmy McGovern, screenwriter for film Hillsborough

To say I admire and respect Jenni Hicks would be a huge understatement. As a parent, she is someone who inspires me because of the love and devotion she shows for her children. As a human being, I couldn't think more highly of her because of the way she has fought for what she believes in and what she knows to be right no matter how much the odds were against her.

I have been incredibly fortunate in my football career to come across some truly remarkable people and Jenni is undoubtedly one of them. She sets the kind of example that I want to follow and it is a privilege to know her. - Jordan Henderson, Professional Footballer for and Captain of Liverpool FC

Jenni Hicks's book One Day in April is quite remarkable. It will move you to tears and impress you with her fight for justice. Her tenacity and courage is astonishing. She is an exceptional person as you will find out. - David Dein, former vice-chairman of the FA and Arsenal FC
A profoundly personal, painful and moving account of unimaginable loss in circumstances involving the culpability of all institutions responsible for the deaths of 97 men, women and children and the long-lasting suffering of survivors of the Hillsborough disaster. Her two daughters unlawfully killed, her marriage ended, spanning three decades Jenni Hicks, a core member of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, remained resilient and determined in the fight for justice. - Professor Phil Scraton, Author of Hillsborough: The Truth
I'm proud to call Jenni a friend. As somebody who was at Hillsborough and survived, I find her story is heartbreaking and her strength inspiring. YNWA - Simon Rimmer, Celebrity Chef and Restaurateur
The heart-breaking, personalised story of a mother's fight for truth and justice; of loss and enduring love. Pathos-laced memories on every page. On occasion it made me laugh, but the overwhelming sense is one of anger, frustration and sorrow. The 'if onlys' can never be answered, the battle - goes on..." - Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region

This is not just a tribute to her beautiful daughters, lost in the Hillsborough tragedy, but a powerful and emotional story of a Mother rebuilding her life while fighting for justice through her terrible grief.

Her description of the day of the match is heartbreaking. An experience no one should have had to experience. It's a truly absorbing and moving read. - Sue Johnston, BAFTA Nominated Actress

Author Bio

Jenni Hicks was the vice chair, and the longest-serving committee member, of the Hillsborough Families Support Group. She fought for justice for her daughters, and the other ninety-four victims of the Hillsborough disaster, for over three decades, and continues to campaign for Maria Eagle MP's and Lord Michael Wills' Public Advocate Bill, and Bishop James Jones's 'Hillsborough Law' Public Authority (Accountability) Bill.

Her story was featured in Jimmy McGovern's 1996 film, Hillsborough, starring Christopher Eccleston and Annabelle Apsion, but she has not spoken personally about her private life and journey as a mother until now. Jenni lives in Liverpool, and volunteers as a school governor for young people who have been excluded from mainstream education.