2021 Winner
Gee Walker
Forgave her son’s killers, and devoted her life to promoting racial harmony in his memory, building a legacy of love to overcome hate.
The brutal racist murder of Anthony Walker in 2005 shocked the nation. The 18-year-old aspiring lawyer was chased from a bus stop in Huyton, Merseyside and killed with an ice pick in an unprovoked attack.
His mum Gee refused to let her life, and Anthony’s memory, be consumed by bitterness, declaring of his killers: “I forgive them. I don’t hate them. Hate is what killed my son. I am in enough pain. Why take on and carry about hate and anger as well?”
Her actions in the following 16 years have been just as powerful as her words. She founded the Anthony Walker Foundation in 2006 to combat racism and offer a space for people to feel safe after suffering racial abuse.
In the last five years, the Foundation has worked with nearly 40,000 young people through educational and outreach programmes in schools. Its victim support services have also helped nearly 10,000 people who have experienced hate crime while volunteers have engaged with thousands in a bid to build safer, stronger communities.
Despite her achievements on a national scale, when asked what she is most proud of, she says simply: “Being a mum and a nan”.
“When I found out about my award I was truly shocked and overwhelmed but told my children that if they thought I was worthy then maybe I am,” says Gee. “They are my one true pride.”
She adds: “I have watched the Pride of Britain Awards for many years and never thought it would be me on stage one day. I am overjoyed to be recognised.”