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Happy 25th Birthday Anthony
21st February 2012 would have been Anthony’s 25th birthday.
25 is such a turning point in all our lives; a milestone year. So, we all can’t help but wonder what would have been Anthony’s life now – would he be a lawyer? Would he have a family of his own?
These are things we will never know because of his life being cruelly taken from us. However, we can all work hard to make sure that our lives and the lives of those around us are not damaged further by racism and discrimination – and we ask you to join us in this pledge.
Happy Birthday Anthony
LFC - Anthony Walker Foundation Statement
(Updated 26/01/12)
Both the Anthony Walker Foundation and the Walker Family have worked alongside LFC since Anthony’s death to promote a message we are both passionate about – challenging racism and promoting equality and fair play. The Club assisted us to develop the Colour Blind film that we now use as an educational tool in our work with young people to challenge racism and promote diversity across Merseyside and beyond.
Liverpool, like any other major city, has its struggles with racism but it also is a city with a history for standing up to hatred and standing up for justice.
AWF has been planning increased partnership work in the city for 2012, particularly to try to address the disproportionately high rates of race hate crime in the North Liverpool area in which both our football teams are situated.
Actions on the football pitch and on the terraces have added impetus to this work.
There is little benefit to AWF commenting any more than others already have on the Suarez case – the FA have investigated, made a judgement and the player is now serving his punishment.
In speaking to LFC, it is clear that there are lessons to be learned in how this situation was handled and there is a willingness to learn. LFC know that they have to rebuild faith and trust in people’s belief in their commitment to equality; so what really matters is what happens from herein.
There is a renewed focus to ensure the long-standing anti-racism message from both AWF and LFC is not further confused or undermined.
We cannot shy away from the challenges of achieving race equality. In a city where almost 70% of young people surveyed by the City Council said they were concerned about racism and racial attacks, it would be completely irresponsible for us to take any other stance.
AWF will continue to work with LFC this year to deliver in particular our annual youth hate crime conference and education workshops for young people.
Racial prejudice in all of its forms, intentional or unintentional has no place in our society. It is bad for football, bad for our communities and bad for this city. We want this particular message to firmly reach all football fans and for this to be respected by supporters at both ends of the pitch. This is particularly uppermost in our mind when Manchester United and LFC meet again this Saturday.
AWF know far too well about where prejudice and bigotry can lead.
Celebrate Anthony's 25th Birthday - 15th February 2012
(Updated 20/01/12) - February 2012 will mark what would have been Anthony's 25th Birthday. This year we will be holding a Big Birthday Bash to celebrate the life of a talented young man and his legacy.
Held at the Brink (the UK's first dry bar) Parr Street on the 15th February we will be hosting a party like no other with live music, entertainment, food and prizes. This family friendly event will have something for everyone.
The finale of the event will see us release 25 balloons in memory of Anthony and as a symbol of hope.
Admission is FREE - however donations upon entry will be welcomed.
Come and celebrate with us as we say 'Happy Birthday Anthony'!
Running Man - Jon Hogg
(Updated 20/01/12) AWF would like to say a huge thank you to Jon Hogg who will be running this year's Liverpool Half Marathon in aid of the Anthony Walker Foundation - Jon has created a justgiving fundraising page so please donate generously.
New AWF Fundraising Event
Apex Events have organised an evening of music, comedy and entertainment all in aid of the Anthony Walker Foundation.
Where: OSQA Bar - Oldham Street L1 2SU
When: Sunday 5th February 2012 @ 7.30pm
Price: £10
Stephen Lawrence Judgement: AWF Statement
(Updated 04/01/12)
The Anthony Walker Foundation is relieved that the Lawrence family have finally seen some justice for their son.
It is important that we do not forget that a loving and talented young son was stolen from this family and many of their questions remain unanswered - our hearts go out to Stephen’s family and friends.
Stephen, his friend Duwayne and Stephen’s family were not treated properly in 1993 and have waited a long time for justice. The perseverance and determination to achieve justice for Stephen by Neville and Doreen Lawrence has brought about nothing less than a revolution in policing and equality legislation, altering the landscape of equality in the UK permanently and for the better.
The struggle and plight of the Lawrence’s, with all of the human cost and personal sacrifice has helped ensure that other families have not shared their dreadful experience of the criminal justice system and that is something truly incredible and awe-inspiring. We are all forever in their debt.
Liverpool Echo : Gee Walker Speaks Out After Two Men Are Convicted of Murder of Stephen Lawrence
Celebrate a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year with AWF
(Updated 28/12/11) We hope that all our supporters have had a fantastic Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year. Why not come and celebrate in style with us this Thursday Night @ Leaf Cafe?
Sound Sessions, headlined by Esco Williams, features Liverpool's hottest musical talent - Tickets are priced at £3 on the door - All in aid of the Anthony Walker Foundation.
That's this Thursday 29th December - Leaf Cafe, Bold Street - 7pm - £3 OTD
Earn AWF £££'s whilst buying your Xmas Shopping!
(Updated 05/12/11)
In the process you will earn money for the AWF. That's right! Just by signing up for a FREE easy fundraising account, every time you buy a product through the site a donation is made to the Anthony Walker Foundation.
Our unique easyfundraising URL is http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/awf
To raise funds through your own personal shopping, just log in before you start shopping, using the username and password you registered with and up to 15% from each purchase you make will be donated to Anthony Walker Foundation.
Shopping in this way costs you nothing extra - so it's a great way to get all of those presents whilst giving us a little something this Christmas time too.
http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/awf
Sound Sessions - Liverpool's finest @ Leaf Cafe - 29th December
(Updated 01/12/11) When Christmas is done and there's still New Year ahead of us why not come down and celebrate in style at our latest fundraiser. Organised by our Young Ambassador Ben Osu and supported by our volunteers, Leaf Cafe on Bold Street will become the home to some of Liverpool's finest talents for the night, all of whom offering their time for free to support the Anthony Walker Foundation. Tickets are priced at £3 each on the door - Get there early to ensure you don't miss out!
Ho Ho Ho - Santa Dash 2011!
(Updated 21/11/11) Time is running out to sign up for this year's Santa Dash - If you're planning to run this year's fun run on Sunday 4th December, why not raise some money for the Anthony Walker Foundation?! Enter online for the Santa Dash - Enter Santa Dash
To create your own fundraising page please click 'Donate' on the site menu and follow the details.
One person who will be running this year is Matt Dutton - Matt has created a Just Giving fundraising page - you can sponsor him by clicking the picture bleow.
Good Luck Matt!!
New Vacancy at AWF
(Updated 08/11/11) We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the role of Victim Support Worker (Children and Families). Further information about this post, plus details of how to apply, can be found on our vacancies page here: Vacancies
o2 North West Media Awards
(Updated 04/11/11) This year saw the return of the O2 North West Media Awards. It was a special night for the foundation as two of our volunteers attended; our founder, Mrs Gee Walker attend as a surprise to North West Tonight’s, Gordon Burns; and our Ambassador, Ben Osu won an award for the work he has been doing on the O2 Think Big Project with his company Culture Council.
Gordon Burns has supported the family and foundation since the day of its inception producing ground breaking features around the family and foundation since the death of Anthony. He was there on false pretences last night’s award in Blackpool – he thought he was presenting an award not receiving one. As soon as Gee was mentioned the whole room went silent and a montage played of Gordon’s TV achievements, including the work he has done with Gee and the family. The first interview he carried out with Mrs Walker was a tough – it was 7 minutes long and was about to be shown on North West Tonight. His producer protested that it needs to be no longer than 3 minutes as that’s the standard for news pieces on that particular show. Gordon stood his ground and after he told his producer to cut it down, who failed, the interview was finally aired for its full length.
His speech was emotional and heartfelt and you could tell that the relationship with Gee and himself is one that is respected and valued.
Ben Osu, our Young Ambassador and sessional worker set up a social enterprise that promotes social campaigns using the arts, media, and technology. As well as this the company works heavily in the local music industry promoting young artists and is about to develop a series of events for the Foundation. Ben was one of the 1st ever young people to work with O2 Think Big – a programme developed by O2 with a number of nation youth agencies to encourage young people to make a difference in their communities. He has been give numerous opportunities including attend nation conference, speaking with MP’s and presenting a Think Big Gig with celebs such as Chipmunk, Wretch 32, Reggie Yates and Ashley Walters. Ben’s award was very well deserved – so keep a look out for him around the foundation.
Neither Ben or Gee knew each other was going to be at the awards and it was surprise by both. Ben commented:
“I want to be a TV/Event Host so I was quite comfortable until I knew Gee was there. She’s a real inspiration and I had to include her my thank you’s”
The first event with Culture Council is on 29th December 20011 @ LEAF on Bold St. There’s a £3 entry to support the charity but you also get to list to some of the city’s top talent.
Rainhill High School - Letters to Anthony
(Updated 31/10/11) Wednesday 19th October seen Rainhill High School have their annual Diversity day. A full day dedicated to promoting equality and celebrating diversity in the school. Pupils participated in workshops, fundraised for the Anthony Walker Foundation and delivered an evening of performances and activities.
In the weeks leading up the diversity day pupils were asked to write a letter to Anthony. Congratulations to Year 11 pupil Mell McNamara, Year 11 pupil Amy Leigh Shaw and Year 10 pupil Louisa Keight who all wrote beautiful pieces. AWF CEO Leona Vaughn who judged the letters commented tht Amy's Letter "was incredibly moving and thoughtful. It was clear that it was genuinely written from the heart". On Mell's letter: "Mell's piece was really thoughtful and showed clear understanding of prejudice and discrimination and how they affect our society". Leona added "Louisa produced a lovely sonnet for Anthony. She really grasped the message of the AWF".
Congratulations to both girls and thank you Rainhill School for such a wonderful day.
Read both of the winning entries here: Rainhill Letters to Anthony
Funding Update!
(Updated 27/10/11) The Anthony Walker Foundation is pleased to announce we have received three new grants recently which will fund a variety of projects.
Grassroots Fund - Liverpool City Council - This funding will enable us to take our 'Don't Just Say It - Spray It!' project in to selected youth clubs across Liverpool. We will be delivering our equality and diversity workshops followed up with a fun and creative graffiti arts session!
Transformation Fund - Liverpool City Council - Allowing the Anthony Walker Foundation to grow and develop in these hard economic times. We will be able to access training and incorporate new technologies to ensure that the AWF are delivering the best possible services for years to come.
Lloyds TSB - Children's Victim Support Worker - Being a victim of hate crime can be incredibly difficult for a family, especially a child. With our new funding we'll be able to support more children in Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley if they or their families have been victims of hate crime.
Colour Blind Movie Screening - Crosby Plaza October 26th 2011
(Updated 11/10/11) - As part of our Black History Month events The Anthony Walker Foundation presents a showing of our educational movie 'Colour Blind'. Inspired after Anthony's death this poignant yet humeous movie was directed by Lenny Henry and stars Neil Fitzmaurice, Louis Emerick and Cathy Tyson.
Following the movie screening a panel discussion focusing on hate crime will be taking place featuring Gee Walker, movie producer Colin McKeown, the family of murdered Irish Traveller Jonny Delany and AWF CEO Leona Vaughn.
Tickets are available on the day for £3 each (discounts for family tickets). http://www.anthonywalkerfoundation.com/index.php/forthcoming-events
Sainsbury's Bag Pack Total
(Updated 10/10/11) - Thank you to all the wonderful staff at Sainsbury's Rice Lane who allowed us to come in store on Friday 8th October to fundraise with a charity bag pack. A team of AWF volunteers gave up their afternoon to help customers pack their shopping in return for a donation to the charity -The support from the staff and customers was overwhelmingly positive and we raised a superb £386.39 in just a few hours! Thank you Sainsbury's, we look forward to doing it again.
Thank you also to all our volunteers who came and helped out on the day!
Congratulations Dan Wellburn - Liverpool Marathon
(Updated 10/10/11) - The Anthony Walker Foundation would like to say a huge thank you to Dan Wellburn who this weekend ran the massive 26 miles of the Liverpool Marathon in aid of the AWF. Dan has smashed his £500 fundraising target by bringing in £674 (plus an additional £145 gift aid!) and the donations are still coming in - Thank you to Dan and to all those who have donated!
To make a donation please visit http://www.justgiving.com/danwellburn
AWF Volunteer Meeting - Saturday 8th October 2011
(Updated 28/09/11) Please keep Saturday morning- 8th October free in your diaries.
The Anthony Walker Foundation will be unveiling its events calendar for the forthcoming year - giving our volunteers the first opportunity to see what they can get involved in over the next 12 months. We have lost of exciting events coming up, but we can't do them without YOUR help!
Time: 10.30am - 12pm
Venue: World Museum Liverpool (William Brown Street) - Theatre Room
If you are interested in volunteering with the Anthony Walker Foundation or want to find out more information about the organisation then please contact our office on 0151 237 3974 or email
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So remember... 8th October!
BBC North West Tonight
(Updated 27/09/11) Gee Walker will be appearing on tonights edition of BBC North West Tonight Tuesday 27th September 6.30pm. Gee was interviewed by host Gordon Burns. For more information please click this link to the BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-15068834
UPDATE!! This programme is now available to watch again through BBC iplayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006pfjx
Donate Now!
(Updated 26/09/11) Remember, you can support the Anthony Walker Foundation achieve our mission of promoting equality and diversity across our region. Any contribution is valued and the support we receive allows us to continue our hard work. For more information on how you can support the Anthony Walker Foundation please follow this link: http://anthonywalkerfoundation.com/index.php/donate
Community Foundation Merseyside - Award Video
(Updated 20/09/11) Thank you to the Community Foundation for Merseyside for providing up with our entry video for the Spirit of Merseyside Awards 2011. Our Young Ambassadors were filmed during our Liverpool Schools Hate Crime Conference and you can see the video below!
Liverpool Marathon - Donate Now
(Updated 15/09/11) The Liverpool Marathon will be taking place in less than a month and one of our committed volunteers, Daniel Wellburn will be running in support of the Anthony Walker Foundation. Please reward all of his hard work with a small donation - All money donated will come directly to AWF!
If you wish to donate please click on this link: http://www.justgiving.com/danwellburn
Giood luck Dan!
Anthony Walker Memorial Lecture
(Updated 30/08/11) Anthony Walker Memorial Lecture - Anthony Walker, who was a Black British A-level student from Huyton, Merseyside, a Christian and a keen basketball player, was brutally murdered in a racially motivated attack on 30 July 2005 near McGoldrick Park in Huyton. The crime shocked Anthony's community, as well as the people of Liverpool, and gained widespread national publicity. The perpetrators were brought to justice and received lengthy prison sentences.
The NUT, in partnership with the Anthony Walker Foundation, instituted an annual memorial lecture in the name of Anthony Walker in 2007.
This year's Lecture is due to take place on Friday 21st October 2011 from 5pm - 8pm at the Council House in Bristol. Adolph Cameron, General Secretary of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association will deliver this years’ lecture, with Paulette Wisdom, Director of Visions of Esteem Consultancy and Training as the respondent. Other speakers will include Mrs Gee Walker, Christine Blower, General Secretary and Nina Franklin, President. For an application form please go to http://www.teachers.org.uk/taxonomy/term/1693