Two women who campaigned for Hillsborough and racial justice will be immortalised as steel figures as part of a national campaign.
Anne Williams and Dr Gee Walker will be immortalised as steel figures across a National Cycle Network in recognition of the late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee year. The two women, who campaigned for Hillsborough and racial justice respectively, were chosen by residents across Liverpool for their positive impact to their local community.
The two women will be immortalised across the local section of the National Cycle Network as part of a campaign by the walking and cycling charity Sustrans. The campaign, which will see the figures installed across the popular cycle paths, is in "celebration of the UK's longest-reigning monarch".
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Anne campaigned for justice for the victims of Hillsborough following the disaster in 1989. Anne's son, 15-year-old Kevin, was one of the 97 who died. She courageously launched legal challenges with new evidence - and by 2016, the Hillsborough inquests cited police failings giving a verdict of unlawful killing, vindicating fans.
Gee will also be immortalised on the cycling trail. Gee founded the Anthony Walker Foundation in 2006, following the racially motivated murder of her son Anthony. Today the foundation tackles racism, hate crime and discrimination by providing educational opportunities, victim support services and by promoting equity and inclusion for all.
As custodian of the National Cycle Network, which spans 12,000 miles of signed cycling routes including over 5,000 miles of traffic-free paths, Sustrans have already installed over 250 life-sized steel figures across the length and breadth of the UK as part of the Portrait Bench campaign – the last of which was installed over 11 years ago.
Each figure has been designed and fabricated using corten steel by partner artists Katy and Nick Hallett, with existing figures in the Northern region including Ralph Rooney in Bury, Michael Latham in Bradford, and a nurse figure in Kirkby. Thanks to funding this year from the Department for Transport, the new series of steel figures are to be installed across some of the most popular cycle paths to celebrate achievements of individuals and groups who have gone above and beyond for their communities.
Rosslyn Colderley, Sustrans Director for the north of England, said: “We’re thrilled to see Anne Williams and Gee Walker recognised for the positive impact they’ve made to the residents of Liverpool and Southport. At Sustrans, we’re committed to ensuring that the National Cycle Network continues to enable as many people as possible to walk, wheel, cycle, and run, and that they celebrate our local communities, cultures, and heritage.”
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