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One Day in April – A Hillsborough Story: A mother’s journey through love, loss and her fight for justice
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 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.
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 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.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published July 5, 2022
3 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 23, 2023
Very emotional and interesting book reliving the horrors of that sad day at Hillsborough in April 1989 and the aftermath of inquiries and justice for the victims
April 16, 2022
Jenni Hicks takes us back to her childhood days when as a baby her Mother abandoned her to Jenni's Grandmother who brought her up.
Jenni married Trevor and had two beautiful daughters, Sarah and Vicky they lived in London but were avid Liverpool supporters and would travel via car to see their beloved team play football.
Unfortunately Trevor was not the ideal husband as he lived to work and was only a week-end Dad and Jenni brought her girls up mainly on her own. Jenni was a loving caring Mother who would do anything for her family.
Then one beautiful day on 15th of April, 1989 tragedy happened to not only Jenni's family but to many more families on this fateful day. They all happily travelled to Hillsborough via car which was packed with a lovely picnic basket which Jenni had prepared for their lunch and she had saved some as she knew Vicky would be always be hungry on the ride home from the match.
Unfortunately overcrowding occurred on the terraces of Sheffield Wednesday's stadium at the start of the FA Cup semi final-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forrest. Commander David Duckinfield ordered one of the gates to be opened up to let supporters in but this resulted in overcrowding in the pens thus causing supporters to become crushed and 97 lives were tragically lost because of this. An inquest was opened but the verdict was that they were all accidentally killed but after over thirty years of fighting for justice they got this verdict overturned to unlawful killing in a civil court but not at the Crown court. The fight goes on to this very day to get justice for the 97.
Even when she had an operation for cancer she would travel to speak up in campaigns for justice for the 97.
Jenni's book brought tears of joy and sadness as I read this memorable account of One day in April.
Jenni married Trevor and had two beautiful daughters, Sarah and Vicky they lived in London but were avid Liverpool supporters and would travel via car to see their beloved team play football.
Unfortunately Trevor was not the ideal husband as he lived to work and was only a week-end Dad and Jenni brought her girls up mainly on her own. Jenni was a loving caring Mother who would do anything for her family.
Then one beautiful day on 15th of April, 1989 tragedy happened to not only Jenni's family but to many more families on this fateful day. They all happily travelled to Hillsborough via car which was packed with a lovely picnic basket which Jenni had prepared for their lunch and she had saved some as she knew Vicky would be always be hungry on the ride home from the match.
Unfortunately overcrowding occurred on the terraces of Sheffield Wednesday's stadium at the start of the FA Cup semi final-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forrest. Commander David Duckinfield ordered one of the gates to be opened up to let supporters in but this resulted in overcrowding in the pens thus causing supporters to become crushed and 97 lives were tragically lost because of this. An inquest was opened but the verdict was that they were all accidentally killed but after over thirty years of fighting for justice they got this verdict overturned to unlawful killing in a civil court but not at the Crown court. The fight goes on to this very day to get justice for the 97.
Even when she had an operation for cancer she would travel to speak up in campaigns for justice for the 97.
Jenni's book brought tears of joy and sadness as I read this memorable account of One day in April.
March 30, 2024
ONE DAY IN APRIL. A HILLSBOROUGH STORY.
AUTHOR Jenni Hicks
PUBLISHER @sevendialsbooks
PUBLICATION DATE 5TH July 2022
MY RATING 5/5
On 15th April 1989 the worst football disaster in history happened.
I have seen many documentaries on the Hillsborough disaster but this is only the second book I have read on this.
I was 11 years old when this disaster happened, I remember seeing it on the news and talking with my school friends about it. Over the years I often think of it and feel for the families of all those involved.
Jenni Hicks is one of those families who sadly lost not one but two people that day, her precious daughters, Sarah and Vicki.
We get to hear about the girls childhoods, and really get to know their personalities. They were bright, funny, kind and beautiful young ladies.
Jenni talks us through the tragic events she witnessed that day and I honestly can't get over just how badly they were treated on the day and then the years that followed. She tells us about the fight for justice and the police cover up, and how she managed to get through each day after such an horrific disaster.
This is a heart wrenching account of what truly happened and I advise you to keep some tissues handy.
If you haven't watched Jimmy McGovern's docudrama Hillsborough I highly recommend it. Jenni and her family are a main focus in the drama.
AUTHOR Jenni Hicks
PUBLISHER @sevendialsbooks
PUBLICATION DATE 5TH July 2022
MY RATING 5/5
On 15th April 1989 the worst football disaster in history happened.
I have seen many documentaries on the Hillsborough disaster but this is only the second book I have read on this.
I was 11 years old when this disaster happened, I remember seeing it on the news and talking with my school friends about it. Over the years I often think of it and feel for the families of all those involved.
Jenni Hicks is one of those families who sadly lost not one but two people that day, her precious daughters, Sarah and Vicki.
We get to hear about the girls childhoods, and really get to know their personalities. They were bright, funny, kind and beautiful young ladies.
Jenni talks us through the tragic events she witnessed that day and I honestly can't get over just how badly they were treated on the day and then the years that followed. She tells us about the fight for justice and the police cover up, and how she managed to get through each day after such an horrific disaster.
This is a heart wrenching account of what truly happened and I advise you to keep some tissues handy.
If you haven't watched Jimmy McGovern's docudrama Hillsborough I highly recommend it. Jenni and her family are a main focus in the drama.
May 9, 2023
As a football supporter, a season ticket holder like Jenni HIcks and her family, as someone whose nephew also died in tragic circumstances back in 2006, I knew this would be a book that I wouldn't be able to put down and I finished it inside 48 hours.
What came through for me was just what remarkable daughters the Hicks had. Sarah and Vicki were two truly amazing human beings and Jenni draws out their characters in lovely detail. I know from my sister how important this aspect is.
Jenni's own back story is also an amazing and inspiring part of this book and I really enjoyed her telling of her own extraordinary story from birth to motherhood.
As Jenni says with regard to the Hillsborough tragedy, the Hicks family didn't fit the narrative. They weren't from Liverpool for one, although their passion for the club is as strong as anyone born there.
I know as a supporter how many things changed after Hillsborough and how society has changed. The hope would be that it could never happen again and that if it did there were be far swifter accountability and more accurate understanding of what caused it.
What came through for me was just what remarkable daughters the Hicks had. Sarah and Vicki were two truly amazing human beings and Jenni draws out their characters in lovely detail. I know from my sister how important this aspect is.
Jenni's own back story is also an amazing and inspiring part of this book and I really enjoyed her telling of her own extraordinary story from birth to motherhood.
As Jenni says with regard to the Hillsborough tragedy, the Hicks family didn't fit the narrative. They weren't from Liverpool for one, although their passion for the club is as strong as anyone born there.
I know as a supporter how many things changed after Hillsborough and how society has changed. The hope would be that it could never happen again and that if it did there were be far swifter accountability and more accurate understanding of what caused it.
April 9, 2022
I listened to the audio version of the book read by the wonderful actress Sue Johnston who absolutely brought the words of Jenny Hicks to life with such feeling. What really struck me about this book was the intensity of mother's love for her daughters; Sarah & Vicki. What an emotional, heart rending but poignant tribute to 2 wonderful girls who loved life & football & were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough. Bravo to Jenni for fighting for justice for nearly 3 decades for her girls & the other victims of this terrible tragedy. A must-read.
March 1, 2024
Jenni tells us of what happened to her and her family on that fateful day in April 1989. We learn of her family life and how she was brought up before she tells of her life leading up to the match and her life after. Told with such emotion and honesty. I was 12 when the Hillsborough disaster happened & I didn’t understand the complexities of how it came about at the time. Jenni tells the events and legal battles an easy to understand way. A very emotional read. #OneDayInAprilAHillsboroughStory #JenniHicks #OneDayInApril #AHillsboroughStory
May 9, 2022
A heartbreaking story on a Mother’s heartbreak and fight for justice for Sarah & Vicki, but also the 95 other victims who were killed at Hillsborough. I can’t begin to imagine the pain that Jenni and all the other victims families went through when they lost their loved ones. Also, sickened to see justice still has not been served for those responsible for the deaths and the cover up of the mistakes made, that took the lives of many.
June 30, 2023
Such a sad and heartbreaking book. The author Jenny has done so much to help fight for justice for all the people who sadly lost loved ones in the hillsbrough disaster. She shows you the raw emotions of a mother grieving for her two young daughters and the lengths she goes though to get justice for them both as well as helping the other victims family. This is a heartbreaking but inspirational read at the same time. All 97 victims will never be forgotten xxx
June 12, 2022
A harrowing account of a mother who lost her two daughters in the Hillsborough disaster.
She covers the lives of her daughters, which is difficult as we know what is about to happen to them. On the day, she was in another part of the ground and could only watch as events unfolded. At times it was very difficult to read as we learn of the terrible way she and her husband were dealt with by the culprits of the occasion - West Yorkshire Police. The subsequent cover up is nothing short of a national scandal and it is to the enduring credit of the Hillsborough families that they battled through this.
As the banner said 'When they picked Liverpool, they picked the wrong city'
A truly remarkable and honest book.
YNWA
She covers the lives of her daughters, which is difficult as we know what is about to happen to them. On the day, she was in another part of the ground and could only watch as events unfolded. At times it was very difficult to read as we learn of the terrible way she and her husband were dealt with by the culprits of the occasion - West Yorkshire Police. The subsequent cover up is nothing short of a national scandal and it is to the enduring credit of the Hillsborough families that they battled through this.
As the banner said 'When they picked Liverpool, they picked the wrong city'
A truly remarkable and honest book.
YNWA
November 1, 2022
Try not to cry through this book.
January 9, 2023
Such a vivid account from an amazing mother. David Duckenfield and all those in South Yorkshire Police involved in the obvious cover ups should hang their heads in shame
May 6, 2024
Very emotional and heart-felt read.
May 8, 2023
A heartbreaking story from this Mother who lost her two children in the famous Hillborough disaster.
Very humbling and open, it was a difficult read due to the sensitivity but there's no denying it was very well written and it's clear that Jenni would stop at nothing to get justice for her daughters.
A sad but interesting read.
Very humbling and open, it was a difficult read due to the sensitivity but there's no denying it was very well written and it's clear that Jenni would stop at nothing to get justice for her daughters.
A sad but interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews