Tributes poured in following the passing of Damilola Taylor’s dad, Richard, including from a close friend who said he went to the funeral of ‘nearly every child who died by a gun or a knife.’
Richard Taylor OBE tragically passed away aged 75 on Saturday, March 23, following a long battle with prostate cancer.
He became known after his ten-year-old son, Damilola, was killed in 2000 when he was slashed with broken glass on his way home from Peckham Library. It was a death that dominated headlines for years and rocked the country.
In May 2001, parents Richard and Gloria set up the Damilola Taylor Trust in their sons’ memory to campaign against knife crime.
Through the charity, Richard toured schools sharing his heartache and persuading young people away from criminal careers.
Reflecting on his death, a close friend of Richard’s, Eula Clarke, who worked with the Trust for years, told us they used to speak ‘every day.’
Asked of her lasting memory of Richard she said: “Our banter. He became a good friend. Even when he was deteriorating and we could no longer talk on the phone, he would always text me.”
Eula continued: “What we didn’t know before was that Richard attended the funerals of nearly every child who got killed by gun or knife.”
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“Despite everything he went through, he remained a humanitarian.”
Back in November, Eula held a memorial event at the House of Lords to mark 23 years since Damilola’s death.
“I didn’t realise how precious our event was before. But I’m so glad we did that.
“Richard came with his other children.”
In terms of the future of the Damilola Taylor Trust, Eula said there was ‘still a need’ for it.
“The crimes are still happening so we can continue to educate everyone on the issues around youth violence.
“The Trust has a double legacy now.”
She added: “He’s at peace he’s out of pain. I’m just glad that I got to know him.”
Ben Lindsay, CEO of Peckham-based anti-youth violence organisation, Power the Fight, commented on the ‘massive loss’ for the charity sector.
“Richard Taylor’s passing is really sad,” he told us.
“He’s been an absolute legend and champion in his attempts to make the issue and cause of violence affecting young people something which is on the radar of politicians, and decision-makers for over two decades.
“His dignity, passion and desire for change will be missed.”
He explained that organisations like Power the Fight were set up “following in his footsteps.”
Ben added: “To lose such a pioneer for me personally, but also for the organisation is a massive loss for the sector. But at the same time, I truly believe that his legacy will not be forgotten.”
Other tributes on X from local figures included the Southwark branch of the Met police, who posted on X: “We are saddened by the news of the passing of Richard Taylor OBE. His tireless work, undertaken with great diligence and dignity, has been instrumental in making the young people and wider communities of Southwark safer.”
Camberwell and Peckham MP Harriet Harman also shared this message: “So sad to hear this news. RIP Richard Taylor. He never stopped fighting for other children to have the chances his beloved Damilola never got.”
So sad to hear this news. RIP Richard Taylor. He never stopped fighting for other children to have the chances his beloved Damilola never got https://t.co/hV3Kv4KCae
— Harriet Harman (@HarrietHarman) March 23, 2024
Finally, Southwark Council leader, Kieron Williams, wrote: “Deeply sad to hear Richard Taylor has passed away. His work to create opportunity and hope for young people in Southwark and beyond has left a lasting legacy. He will be greatly missed by people across our community #LegacyOfHope.”
Deeply sad to hear Richard Taylor has passed away. His work to create opportunity and hope for young people in Southwark and beyond has left a lasting legacy. He will be greatly missed by people across our community #LegacyOfHope https://t.co/hhTlE1BMNM
— Cllr Kieron Williams (@kieronjwilliams) March 23, 2024
Richard Taylor, father of Damilola, passes away at age of 75
