Around 3,000 mourners attended the funeral of murdered teenager Anthony Walker in Liverpool on Thursday.
The 18-year-old student was killed with an axe in what police believe to be a racially motivated attack.
Mourners rose to the call of the family that the service, held in Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral and led by the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, be a “joyful thanksgiving” of his life.
Friends and family members attended the teenager’s funeral dressed in colourful basketball and football shirts in celebration of Anthony’s passion for sport. Just some of the shirts on display were England, Brazil, Liverpool FC, Everton FC and Arsenal.
Anthony’s godfather, Pastor Hughes Redhead, and a childhood friend, William Eborall, opened the service with moving tributes.
Mr Eborall made an emotional address in which he described Anthony as “a caring, sensitive person”.
He said: “Anthony was one of those special people who grace your life and I will feel lucky knowing that I met him and to know that we called each other friends.”
The minister of the Grace Family Church, where the Walker family are members, spoke warmly of Anthony, saying that he “didn’t mind being different, in fact he enjoyed it.”
She added: “He had a depth of character that could stand out in a crowd, and his integrity showed that.”
Pastor Redhead told of how the family had moved to Huyton from Liverpool’s troubled Toxteth area in search of a better life.
He expressed the personal thanks of the family: “The family says thank you, and they’re greatly touched, to the people who shed tears, gave words of sympathy, flowers, cards, and even those neighbours and those hotels who offered accommodation to family and friends.”
He continued, however: “But to ensure that no other family has to go through pain, today’s tears must be transformed into action tomorrow. Words of sympathy must lead to a vision for Merseyside in which black families can live and work without harassment and abuse or attack.”
The Bishop of Liverpool, who led the opening prayers for the service, said, “The cruelty that led to Anthony’s death shames us all”.
The public service, also broadcast on a giant screen in Liverpool’s city centre, was followed by a private burial for family members only.
Churches in black communities across the country held special services to remember the teenager yesterday.
Paul Taylor, 20, and Michael Barton, 17, both of Huyton, have been charged with Anthony’s murder and are now in custody awaiting trial.
