A quarter of a century after ten-year-old Damilola Taylor was killed in a shocking crime that reverberated across London, the charity founded in his name is ensuring his message of hope continues to inspire and protect thousands of young people across the United Kingdom.
A Legacy Forged in Tragedy
The poignant inspiration for the Damilola Taylor Trust stems from one of the schoolboy's final school assignments. In it, the ten-year-old eloquently expressed his 'hope to change the world'. His teachers found the piece so powerful it was read aloud during a school assembly. Tragically, just weeks later, on 27 November 2000, Damilola was killed on a south London estate after being attacked with a glass bottle.
His death sent shockwaves across the nation and made global headlines, partly because the perpetrators were so young. Two brothers, aged just 12 and 13 at the time, were later convicted of his manslaughter in 2006. The case was a stark moment of national reckoning.
New Leadership for a Continuing Mission
Following the tragic death of Damilola's father, Richard Taylor, last year, the trust has appointed a new chair, Leroy Logan. Logan brings a profound personal and professional connection to the cause. He was a founding member and long-serving chairman of the Black Police Association and, incredibly, was also one of the original investigating officers on Damilola's case.
His personal ties run even deeper, as his wife is a cousin of the late Richard Taylor. In an emotional statement, Logan acknowledged the weight of his new role, saying, "Richard had been especially vociferous in supporting policing and wanting to bring community and police closer together. With my background and experience I hope I can fill his big shoes."
He emphasised the ongoing challenges, noting the 'normalisation of violence impacting young lives' has been a terrible blight on society.
Spreading Hope Across the UK
Under the stewardship of interim CEO Gary Trowsdale, who returned after Richard's passing, the trust has been a leading voice in campaigning against the inequalities that compromise young people's life chances. Trowsdale highlighted that while many charities offer mentoring, the Damilola Taylor Trust uniquely challenges the political establishment to tackle root causes like poverty.
A key initiative is the Hope Collective, a coalition of youth charities launched in 2021. Its signature programme, the 'Hope Hack', has engaged almost 5,000 young people across the UK. At these events, youngsters who weren't even born when Damilola died are asked for their ideas on creating a fairer society.
"Ironically of course none of the kids we have engaged with were even born when Damilola died," Trowsdale reflected. "Losing my great friend Richard last year was a terrible blow but he was extremely proud of the legacy we had created."
As the trust prepares to mark 25 years since the tragedy that sparked its creation, its work remains a powerful testament to a young boy's hope and a family's determination to create a safer, more just world in his memory.
