Today marks what would have been Anthony Walker’s 35th Birthday.
It has been 17 years since the teenager was ambushed and assaulted in an unprovoked attack in Huyton in 2005.
Since then, the Anthony Walker Foundation (AWF) has continued to promote racial harmony through education, sport, the arts and support people and communities who have experienced hate crime.
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In the last five years, the AWF has worked with nearly 40,000 young people through educational and outreach programmes; supported nearly 10,000 people who have experienced hate crime; and has engaged with thousands of community members in a bid to build safer, stronger and more thriving communities.
However, on the same month of his 35th birthday, Anthony's family and friends learned his murderer may potentially be freed in the near future after reportedly being moved to an open prison.
The family and friends said they understood there is never a right time for any legal process but they are hoping to ‘appease the highly charged emotional situation especially given it is Anthony’s birthday this month’.
A spokesperson for the AWF said: “We are cognisant of the Parole Board’s impending decision regarding Michael Barton, who murdered Anthony in 2005.
“Every anniversary, birthday, family-gathering and special occasion evokes a sense of never ending loss, which will never go away.
“Anthony was a fantastic son, who loved his family, friends and community. He loved his sports and was a keen basketball player.
“Before his untimely death, Anthony wanted to go on to study Law at university, and we know that he would have had a positive impact on society.”
College student Anthony had dreams of training as a lawyer when he was attacked, aged 18.
Anthony was walking his girlfriend to a bus stop with his cousin around 11pm on July 29, 2005.
One of his eventual killers, Michael Barton, then 17, shouted racist abuse which Anthony ignored as they walked past a pub. Fellow attacker Paul Taylor, then 20, told Barton he had "lost face", and the pair decided to ambush the group in McGoldrick Park.
Anthony’s cousin and girlfriend got away but he was left trapped before Taylor drove a mountaineering axe into his head.
He sadly died in the early hours of July 30.
As a result of his death, hundreds of bouquets of flowers and cards were left at the scene, while thousands took part in an anti-racism vigil outside St George’s Hall.
The Anthony Walker Foundation was then launched in a year later in 2006 to ensure that his death did not just become another statistic but rather to have his name live on as a positive lasting legacy.
AWF collaborates with other partners to tackle racism, hate crime and discrimination by providing educational opportunities, victim support services and promoting equity and inclusion for all.
The spokesperson added: “The AWF was established by his family, because of the outpouring they felt from the community following Anthony’s death.
“Making a family function is hard at times, but with effective communication, compassion, love, and respect; which is everything we foster within AWF; we can collaborate with our communities to make them safer and stronger.”
A powerful BBC drama portrayed the life Anthony could have lived had he not been murdered, bringing fresh attention to the tragedy as millions watched.
His killers were both jailed for his murder.
Taylor admitted murder and was ordered to serve a minimum of 23 years, eight months and Barton, who was convicted of murder, was ordered to serve at least 17 years, eight months.
Barton's sentence was later reduced after a judge was told of his "transformation from a racist thug into a sensible, realistic young man".
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