It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of friend of Write Out Loud, Kim Haygarth (pictured in 2009), on Saturday 12 March at the very early age of 47 years.

Kim was a wonderful friend to all, full of ideas, good humour and yet determined to get things done. In the few years that I knew her, she was generous with her time and quick to offer support and encouragement to everyone she met. In particular, keen to provide assistance to new talent. 

We were involved in other projects too, such as Kulture Klub at Rochdale college, World Book Day at Bright books and the annual Darnhill Festival.

It was in late 2006 and early 2007 that Kim and I started planning a Write Out Loud night somewhere in Rochdale. I remember the arduous task of going from pub to pub, trying to find one that was suitable. In the end we agreed on The Olde Boars Head in Middleton and launched the first event on Sunday 22 April 2007 and from the first one it was a success.

Kim was employed by Cartwheel Arts, at the time and, unusually, Write Out Loud was paid by them to put the events on. This helped us to keep Write Out Loud going and helped us build other events elsewhere. Kim attended every event and, although reluctant to do so, on one occasion she did read one of her own pieces to great acclaim and undermining her claim not to be a writer.

Kim also ran and edited a wonderful magazine called ‘Scribble’ and many of the participants at Rochdale Write Out Loud submitted pieces to it and were often published, many for the first time.

All-in-all she led a productive and supportive life, enabling others to develop and fulfil their potential, may she rest in peace.

Kim’s funeral will take place on Mon 28 March at 2pm in The Old Chapel, Manchester Crematorium (M21 7GZ), followed by a gathering at Coffee Cranks Cooperative Cafe in Alexandra Park (M16 8PJ).