 THE Anthony Walker Foundation gala dinner will be held in the new King’s Dock Arena next year. A record 670 businessmen, local dignitaries, celebrities and community heroes came together last month to honour the life of the murdered Huyton teenager. The second annual event also marked the achievements of other young Merseyside teenagers in his memory. The night was organised in association with Winning Women and sponsored by the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Merseyrail and supported by the Capital of Culture company. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Anthony Walker Young Citizen of the Year Award which this year went to 16-year-old Kurtis King from Dingle. During the night, which helped to raise £25,000 for the Anthony Walker Foundation, two lawyers from Kirwans solicitors bid £14,000 for the chance to meet their heroes at Liverpool Football Club. Michael Sandys, who is a commercial lawyer, based in Water Street, Liverpool and his business partner Paul Ford, who is a criminal lawyer based in Birkenhead, hope to take up their prize at the start of next season. Mr Sandys, said: “We are hoping for a photo session at Anfield and to be able to invite people along. “We are both Liverpool FC supporters and I hope to be able to meet the manager, Rafa Benitez.” The remaining £11,000 came from businessman Resh Dorka, who paid for the privilege of editing the ECHO for one day. The brand new arena is due to open next January. Esther McVey, from Winning Women, who spends months organising the event and also hosts it on the night, said: “We are hoping for a fantastic turnout. “Everybody who was there this year said they would come next year. We have already grown from a 500-strong audience last year to 670 this year. “Over the past two years we have welcomed Dame Kelly Holmes and Lenny Henry as our guest speakers.” michellefiddler@liverpoolecho.co.uk | 
Read the article here