Gee Walker has been commended by the Prime Minister for her work to combat racism.
David Cameron today named the determined campaigner a ‘Point of Light’ - an award handed to “outstanding individual volunteers”.
The award comes just days after the mum of teenager Anthony Walker told how his senseless murder still haunts her family 11 years on.
Anthony was murdered in an unprovoked racist attack in Huyton in 2005.
Following the horrific killing Gee vowed to fight against hate crime and she set up the Anthony Walker Foundation.
The charity aims to promote racial harmony through education, sport and the arts and operates across the UK.
As well as hosting an annual community festival the charity also provides a bursary for students from poorer backgrounds to study law.
Praising Gee for her work today, Mr Cameron said: “Gee was driven to serve her community by the appalling racist murder of her son Anthony.
“Out of this tragic and senseless loss, Gee has created a mission to ensure that no other family must suffer as hers has. Her work is changing lives and ultimately saving lives. I’m delighted to name Gee the 565th UK Point of Light.”
It is just the latest award for Gee, who recently spoke of the impact her son’s murder still has on her family.
At a special knife crime event held in Liverpool she said: “I sit and look at my beautiful grandchildren and I don’t want them to have to cry the tears I’ve cried.
“Up to the age of seven my grand-daughter Liana used to cry every night because she missed her uncle.
“She used to turn down the radio when sad songs came on and I couldn’t understand why. But now she’s able to explain herself and she said: ‘I didn’t like those sad songs because they made me cry, made me think of my uncle.’
“Can you imagine that, aged seven? She’s 11 and she still cries. That makes me sad.”
But Gee is confident her charity work’s message is getting through as the foundation continues to work locally and nationally.
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