The word ‘Legend’ is defined by Websters Dictionary as ‘one popularly regarded as historical’ or ‘a person who inspires’.
While I am not suggesting that Kevin Sansom is considered a legend of his time, he has exhibited the trademarks of someone who is has touched the lives of many and who will live on in our memories; much like a legend.
Covering this event brought up a number of emotions in me as a journalist and a human being. Having been close to Kevin as one of his students and trusting that he would be there to help me when I was stuck, I was shocked as any to find out that he had passed away. Despite my connections to Kevin I decided that the best way to move on from something traumatic is to face it head on. This would allow me to face that which made an impact on me in a strategic and non-biased way. How wrong I was to presume it would be that simple.
During the event I was recording bits and pieces of footage for my television package afterwards. But when I was waiting and not recording, just watching the videos, listening to the memories shared on Facebook and Twitter, I found it difficult to separate my emotions and my professional duties. It was one of the most difficult things to do in my career, covering the death of a friend. But I got through it and I was able to cut a really good television package for it.
Afterwards I caught the arms of a few people who seemed to be quietly reminiscing about the man named Kevin Sansom. Many were too emotional to talk to me, but a few were able to come up with the words to embody the man who would leave an impression on us all. Unfortunately the reality of journalism is you will not use every single piece of material in one story, therefore I’d like to share the words of many that could not be shared through my television story.
Here are the raw footage videos of their interviews.
