 COMEDIAN Lenny Henry was guest of honour and star turn last night at an event attended by around 400 business leaders in honour of murdered black teenager Anthony Walker. The gala dinner in the main ballroom at Liverpool’s Adelphi hotel was held in support of the Anthony Walker Foundation, set up to promote racial harmony among young people. The event was attended by Anthony’s mother Gee and sister Dominique, who set up the charity. The evening was rounded off with a comic routine from Lenny Henry, who attended the gala dinner at the personal invitation of Mrs Walker. Beforehand, Mr Henry paid tribute to the Walker family. He said: “When I was asked to attend I was delighted to accept. Like most people I was shocked by Anthony Walker’s death and it was difficult to know quite what to say when I was asked to give a few words. “But Gee told me that Anthony was something of a fan and that I should just come along and have some fun, because he would have liked that. “I’m a big fan myself of Gee. It took real courage to come out of the court case, as she did, and forgive Anthony’s killers. “Hopefully we can raise some money to support the Anthony Walker Foundation. It’s a very good cause and has, at its heart, a desire to overcome ignorance with enlightenment, something we should all applaud and support.” The evening also featured a samba band and a charity auction. The Anthony Walker Citizenship Trophy, sponsored by the Daily Post’s sister paper the Liverpool Echo, was presented by Lenny Henry and Gee Walker to Kurtis King, 16, a volunteer youth worker at the 468 Community Centre in Dingle, for his work with seven to eight-year-olds and in helping to keep the club running when it was recently hit by fire. Mrs Walker told the audience: “I’m incredibly touched and very grateful for your attendance. What you’re doing is helping me keep Anthony’s spirit and his memory alive.” She also thanked Lenny Henry for his appearance and described him as the “man of the night.” In reply, he blew her a kiss and shouted “I love you” through the applause. The gala dinner was held in association with Winning Women, sponsored by the Northwest Regional Development Agency and supported by the Liverpool Culture Company. Anthony Walker was murdered in July 2005 by Michael Barton, 20, and Paul Taylor, 17. His family, as devout Christians, have since spoken about their willingness to forgive.
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