Richard Taylor, the father of Damilola Taylor who was murdered 24 years ago, has passed away due to prostate cancer. His son was 10 years old when he was stabbed and left to die in a south London stairwell in 2000. Following his son’s death, Richard Taylor dedicated years to improving the lives of disadvantaged children. He set up the Damilola Taylor Trust to fight against knife crime and campaign for improved opportunities for underprivileged young people.
A statement from the family announced Mr Taylor’s death, saying: “It is with a heavy heart that the family announces the death of our beloved father, grandfather and uncle, Mr Richard Adeyemi Taylor OBE, who sadly passed away in the early hours of Saturday March 23 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.” Mr Taylor was awarded an OBE for his crusade against violent crime in 2012.
The death of Damilola Taylor shocked the nation and became one of London’s most high-profile murders. Following three crown court trials, his killers – Ricky and Danny Preddie – were jailed in 2006. Richard and his late wife Gloria established a charity in their son’s memory following his death.
Mr Taylor campaigned about the effects of knife crime and spoke at schools about the loss, pain, and devastation his family had endured. He met with royalty, prime ministers, home secretaries, and police leaders to bring about change. The family was supported by several celebrities, including footballer Rio Ferdinand, who grew up in Peckham, where the killing took place, and backed their charity work
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