Dad of Damilola Taylor dies aged 75 after life spent campaigning to end knife crime following his son’s death aged 10 | MX967YN | 2024-03-29 06:08:01
Dad of Damilola Taylor dies aged 75 after life spent campaigning to end knife crime following his son's death aged 10 | MX967YN | 2024-03-29 06:08:01
Richard Taylor passed away this morning aged 75 after a
DAMILOLA Taylor's dad who spent his life campaigning to end knife crime following the demise of his son has died.
Richard Taylor passed away this morning aged 75 after a battle with prostate cancer.
Richard's son Damilola was 10 when he was killed on his approach house from an after-school club at the native library in 2000.
He was ambushed and knifed in the leg with a broken bottle by two brothers, who have been 12 and 13 at the time.
After his demise, Richard set up the Damilola Taylor Trust in a bid to stop to knife crime and improve the lives of younger individuals.
Richard was later awarded an OBE and labored alongside two former Prime Ministers.
His household right now stated it's with "a heavy heart" that they announce his tragic demise.
A press release learn: "It is with a heavy heart that the household announce the demise of our beloved father, grandfather and uncle, Mr Richard Adeyemi Taylor OBE, who sadly passed away within the early hours of Saturday March 23 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, after a protracted battle with prostate most cancers."
After he was attacked, Damilola managed to crawl to a stairwell on the council estate the place he lived in Peckham, south London, but tragically bled to demise.
The mindless assault 24 years in the past occurred simply 4 months after he had moved to England together with his household from Nigeria in hope of a greater life.
Six years later, Danny and Ricky Preddie have been convicted of manslaughter.
The Preddie brothers have been members of a gang referred to as the Young Peckham Boys, who have been at the time terrorising the streets of south London.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> Each had a historical past with crime at the time of the killing.
The jailing got here after a collection of police and forensic blunders and three Previous Bailey trials costing £20million.
Damilola's dying shocked the nation and became certainly one of London's most high-profile killings.
In 2017, BBC drama Damilola, Our Beloved Boy, was aired – telling the family's struggled for justice.
Damilola arrived in Britain together with his mum Gloria, brother Tunde and elder sister Gbemi.
Richard beforehand spoke about how Damilola dreamed of turning into a physician because he needed to remedy sister Gbemi's epilepsy.
Devoted dad Richard stayed in Lagos for work when his household took the brave leap to return to the UK.
But he dashed over following his son's dying.
</div> </div> Richard was remembered by TV viewers at the time for collapsing in grief at his son's murder scene.
Damilola is buried subsequent to his mum and Richard's wife Gloria, who died of a coronary heart assault in 2008 aged 57.
Richard labored as an adviser to& Gordon Brown& and& Boris Johnson.
In 2020, Richard informed Johnson to "get a grip" on youth crime after two extra boys have been stabbed to dying within the capital.
A 16-year-old lad died from knife wounds in the former PM's constituency simply half an hour after another, aged 15, was killed in a separate incident.
At the time, Richard stated he was "drained" of listening to about kids' lives being taken.
He stated: "One of many murders of these boys occurred in his own constituency, where violence is turning into rampant.
"I met& Boris Johnson& in November and identified youth teams have been being pressured to close down because of lack of funds.
"I'm uninterested in listening to about extra younger lives being taken."
Richard additionally campaigned alongside ex-England star Rio Ferdinand – who grew up on the identical property Damilola lived and died on.
The England ace made a direct attraction to youngsters for details about the teenager's demise in 2000.
Rio's TV attraction was the start of an extended friendship with& Damilola's parents.
At his suggestion, they set up the Damilola Taylor Belief, which nonetheless runs as we speak.
Its goal is to assist youngsters and younger people who are weak to gang and knife crime.
Tributes at the moment are flooding in for the campaigner.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer posted on X: "Richard championed breaking down obstacles to opportunity by means of the Damilola Taylor Trust, in honour of his son's reminiscence.
"He might be remembered for his courage, willpower and message of hope. My condolences to Richard's household and pals."
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan stated: "I am sorry to hear of the very unhappy passing of Richard Taylor OBE.
"He lived a life in complete legacy to his son, Damilola, dedicating his time to giving younger individuals a hopeful future by means of constructive alternatives. Might he rest in peace and energy."
Flowers laid at the scene where Damilola sadly died[/caption]
Rio Ferdinand has campaigned with Richard because the begin[/caption]
Richard and spouse Gloria thought the UK can be a recent begin for his or her household[/caption]
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