Anthony Walker's mum receives MBE for anti-racist charity work

The mum of murdered teenager Anthony Walker who has tirelessly fought to combat racism was today made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Dr Gee Walker, who has devoted her life to tackling prejudice after her 18-year-old son was killed by two racist cousins in Merseyside in 2005, was recognised for services to diversity and racial injustice. Dr Walker founded The Anthony Walker Foundation following her son's death to tackle racism, hate crime and discrimination by providing educational opportunities, victim support services and promoting inclusion for all.

Dr Walker was honoured for her charity work by Anne, Princess Royal at a Buckingham Palace investiture. Other charity leaders including Mark Steadman, co-founder of Lone Buffalo, a youth development organisation in Laos, were also honoured at the event.

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Anthony was walking with his girlfriend and cousin on July 30, 2005 when he was racially abused as he reached a bus stop by then 17-year-old Michael Barton, brother of former professional footballer and convicted criminal Joey, who also threatened to stab him. Anthony's group decided to walk to another bus stop near McGoldrick Park, Huyton.

However they were followed in a car by Barton and his cousin, Paul Taylor, who jumped out and ambushed Anthony as he reached the park. Taylor, then 20, drove an ice-axe into Anthony's skull causing fatal brain injuries. Both men were found guilty of murder. Michael Barton was jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years, but was released on licence in September 2022 after a Parole Board concluded he had made "exceptional progress" behind bars.

Joey Barton attracted immediate backlash from the foundation last year for claiming his brother "lost 17 years of his life" over a "scrap". The foundation slammed the "inaccurate" comments and added: "We express our hope that Mr Barton will reflect on the impact of his words and the profound significance of the actions of his brother as he walks the street a free man".

Last year marked 18 years since Anthony's death. Since then the foundation, started in 2006, has continued to promote racial harmony through education, sports, and the arts by supporting people and communities who have experienced hate crimes. Through various programmes, it has supported over 70,000 young people.

The foundation's CEO, Kaushik Mistry, told the ECHO on Anthony's 37th birthday: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Gee and Anthony's family. We celebrate his birth and short but beautiful life. He remains our inspiration, and through the work, we do in his name, we create a positive, lasting legacy. Tackling racism and hate crimes and building safer, stronger, thriving places to live."

Previously speaking about why she set up the foundation, Dr Walker said: "It was vital for us as a family that the memory and legacy of Anthony lives on, that all he loved and aspired to is not simply forgotten. 'Don’t let my son’s death be in vain' were words I spoke and these sentiments are as important today as they were in 2005."

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