A devoted dad has taken it upon himself to work tirelessly in cemeteries after spotting a significant issue. Danny Williams, 37, from Knotty Ash, is the proud founder of GraveCare Liverpool. With no prior experience in entrepreneurship just five years ago, Danny was moved to action by the neglected state of his grandparents' graves and the exorbitant costs quoted for professional cleaning services.

Fast forward five years, and Danny's business boasts a thriving customer base, with thousands of followers on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. He has received emotional videos from individuals brought to tears by the surprise restoration of their loved ones' graves.

In an interview with the ECHO, Danny shared his personal connection to the service he provides: "My grandad passed away in 2007. I used to play golf with him every weekend, he was my best mate."

He continued, reflecting on his bond with his grandmother: "I was very close with my nan and would stay at theirs a lot when I was younger. She died on Christmas Day in 2018 which was hard, but it has made Christmas Day special now in the way that we take time aside to raise a glass to her, maybe have a little cry and remember her. But when I found it difficult to find somewhere that could tidy up her grave, I thought there was a huge gap in the market.", reports the Liverpool Echo.

"It wasn't so much the headstone, it was the surrounding areas. I just wanted somebody to make it look nice. The big companies offer you big packages for marble graves, but there were no general packages - everything was just expensive. Some of the prices were extortionate - over £1,000.

"My favourite part about this job is seeing the reviews. For instance, with one restoration, a man walked past the grave because he didn't recognise it. That's just why I love doing what I do. It took a while for me to get to as good a standard as they are now, but some of the results are unbelievable. A lot of people don't think their headstones are white marble. When I clean it, they're shocked."

Danny explained his success, saying: " It is a niche market. There weren't many people doing it when I started. It's caught on quite a lot now, but I'd like to think I was quite early to it. Covid definitely helped because people could only go for walks and notice the graves or what have you. It was all through Facebook, so I didn't have to meet anybody - it was all done online and then I'd send the before and after photos. It took off.

"We've had customers from all over the world, a lot of people who've moved away from Liverpool. All I ask for is a photo and if they haven't got the details of the grave themselves. But the longer it's gone on, the better I've got at researching graves and finding the graves. You don't really have to move, you don't have to meet me, it's all convenient for you."

Some people would recoil at the thought of working amongst tombstones, yet Danny embraces it wholeheartedly: "It's lovely, especially on nice days. Obviously we work all year round, even in the snow with everything because, at the end of the day it's a business, it's got to keep going. But in the summer it's so peaceful. I've got two young girls, so I enjoy the peace."

Danny often undertakes cleaning duties without charge, including for Hillsborough victims, and Liverpool Football Club has commissioned him to spruce up their memorial stones outside Anfield. Reflecting upon his accomplishments, Danny acknowledged the significance of his work: "It came full circle when I restored my nan and grandad's grave. This brings joy to many people and I know they'd be proud."