by Campaigner Richard Taylor, whose son Damilola Taylor was killed when he was just 10 years old, has died, his family has announced.
The former Nigerian civil servant dedicated years to improving the lives of disadvantaged children following the tragic death of his son in November 2000, and set up the Damilola Taylor Trust to campaign against knife crime.
Mr Taylor died on Saturday aged 75 after a long illness.
A statement issued on behalf of his family said: “It is with a heavy heart that the family announces the death of our father, grandfather and uncle, Mr Richard Adeyemi Taylor OBE, who sadly passed away in the early hours of Saturday 23 March. at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, after a long battle with prostate cancer.”
Mr Taylor always said that he wanted his son to be remembered as a boy of hope and that his legacy would be a better life and opportunities for disadvantaged young people.
Damilola was left bleeding to death in a stairwell in Peckham, south-east London, after being attacked and hit with a broken bottle on his way home from a library.
After three crown court trials, his two killers, brothers Ricky and Danny Preddie, were finally put behind bars.
Richard Taylor and his late wife Gloria were inspired to set up a charity in memory of their son in the face of the tragedy of his death.
Gloria died in 2008 after suffering a heart attack and Richard continued his work in the years that followed.
They were supported by famous faces including footballer Rio Ferdinand, who grew up in Peckham and supported the family in their charity work.
Star Wars actor John Boyega was a childhood friend of Damilola and he and his sister Grace were among the last people to see the 10-year-old alive before he walked home the day he was murdered.
Mr Taylor, who was awarded an OBE in 2011 for his anti-violence campaign, was honored on Saturday.
The Damilola Taylor Trust was launched in 2001 after Mr and Mrs Taylor met Charles, then Prince of Wales, with the aim of “providing a legacy of hope and opportunity for disadvantaged and underprivileged young people”.
The UK Youth charity has supported the trust for many years and was one of the founders of the Hope Collective in 2020, an alliance working to end poverty and discrimination in the most vulnerable communities.
Chief executive Ndidi Okezie said: “Everyone at UK Youth is deeply saddened to learn of Richard’s death. He was an incredible man who greatly affected the lives of so many young people.
“Richard was a dear friend to me and to UK Youth. We were delighted to work alongside Richard with the Hope Collective, working to create real change and reduce poverty, violence and discrimination amongst the UK’s most vulnerable communities, and celebrating young people’s hope for the future on Hope Day, on Damilola’s birthday, December 7, every year.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Richard’s immediate family, including his daughters Gbemi and Florence and his son Tunde, and his friends, Richard.
“We pledge to continue his and Damilola’s legacy of hope and work with others to improve the lives of young people from the most vulnerable communities.”
Mr Taylor supported a march against knife crime in central London in 2008 attended by thousands of young people and led by the Ben Kinsella Trust, set up by former EastEnders actress Brooke Kinsella, whose brother Ben is 16 age to stab to death. in Islington.
She said: “I was inspired by Richard’s courage in the face of unimaginable grief.
“After the terrible loss of his son Damilola, he chose to channel his pain into the fight for a safer future. He turned the tragedy into an unwavering determination to keep other families from suffering the same heartbreak.
“Richard became a close friend and confidant after Ben’s murder, sharing his strength and unwavering faith in justice.”
Very sad news.
I had the opportunity to work with Richard when I was at City Hall, he was determined and dignified in the face of great personal tragedy.
It will be missed. https://t.co/jHzmmYRcfG
— James Cleverly 🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) March 23, 2024
Home Secretary James Cleverly posted on X: “Very sad news. I had the opportunity to work with Richard when I was at City Hall, he was determined and dignified in the face of a huge personal tragedy.
“He will be missed.”
Brent Labor MP Dawn Butler posted on X: “My deepest condolences to the family of Richard Taylor, he was a great man & a dear friend.
“He always had such kind words for me. I will miss it. May he rest in peace and be reunited with Damilola in heaven.”
