Two new life-sized figures of the Merseyside campaigners Dr Gee Walker and Anne Williams have been immortalised in steel on a walking, wheeling and cycling route in Liverpool.
Kaushik Mistry, CEO of the Anthony Walker Foundation (left) attended the portrait bench launch event on behalf of Dr Gee Walker, with Dan Gordon, brother of Anne Williams (right) and Rosslyn Colderley, director for Sustrans in the North of England. PHOTO: Denis Oates/Sustrans
Two new life-sized figures of the Merseyside campaigners Dr Gee Walker and Anne Williams have been immortalised in steel on a walking, wheeling and cycling route in Liverpool.
We held a free community celebration event on the Liverpool Loop Line to launch the new ‘portrait bench’.
The sculptures stand next to a wooden bench on the path near Walton Hall Park. They’re part of 30 new steel portrait benches to commemorate local heroes in communities along the National Cycle Network.
People in Liverpool voted for their favourite historical, cultural or community figures, who contributed most to the area in the last 70 years, to appear on the new portrait bench.
The sculpture was created by artists Katy and Nick Hallett.
Dr Gee Walker founded the Anthony Walker Foundation in 2006, following the racially motivated murder of her son Anthony. Gee has worked tirelessly to ensure that Anthony's name is synonymous with racial harmony.
The sculpture of Dr Gee Walker was cast in steel and created by artists Katy and Nick Hallett.
Dr Walker said: “Peace. I am deeply humbled by the unveiling of this portrait. I salute your efforts towards inclusivity and preservation.
“Please accept my heartfelt gratitude and extend it to those who considered it fitting to include me in their quests.
“This is indeed monumental. It symbolizes not just me and my family and friends' journey, but the hard work from: the AWF team, the people of Liverpool, Merseyside and wider afield. It is for all who support breaking the chains of hate and division.
“I am filled with gratitude for this recognition and consider it a reminder to continue giving back and walking in purpose. Thank you for this profound honour. God bless and I wish you well in all your endeavours."
Anne Williams campaigned for justice for the victims of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. 97 Liverpool football fans died, including Anne’s 15-year-old son Kevin.
After the first inquest concluded their deaths were accidental, Anne courageously launched legal challenges with new evidence.
Anne Williams campaigned for justice for victims of the Hillsborough disaster, including her son, Kevin. PHOTO: Denis Oates/Sustrans
By 2016, a new inquest cited police failings, gave a verdict of unlawful killing and vindicated fans. Anne didn’t live to witness the justice she fought for and died aged 62 in 2013.
Anne Williams’ brother Dan Gordon attended the event to represent Anne’s family and was joined by family, friends and supporters.
Mr Gordon said: “On behalf of our family we would like to thank all the Sustrans staff who have worked hard over the past two years plus, to make this tribute to Anne possible.
Hopefully it will remain here for years to remind people of her relentless courage and tenacity to find the truth.”
Rosslyn Colderley, Sustrans Director for the North of England said:
“We’re pleased to honour Gee Walker and Anne Williams with their portraits on the Liverpool Loop Line.
“Both women worked so hard to seek justice from tragic circumstances and to make the world a better place.
“The Liverpool Loop line is a fitting place to reflect on these local heroes. It connects thousands of people across Liverpool, from Halewood to Aintree.
“And it’s sustained by a fantastic group of volunteers who look after it for the whole community.
“Social justice is an important part of our work at Sustrans too as everyone should be able to access safe places to walk, wheel or cycle.
“As part of our Paths for Everyone programme we’ve been working to improve the Loop Line so more people can use it, on foot, cycle or mobility aid.”
Community celebration
A free community event to launch the new portrait bench was held on 14 September on the Liverpool Loop Line.
The event was attended by Kaushik Mistry, CEO of the Anthony Walker Foundation, Dan Gordon, the brother of Anne Williams, their family and friends, as well as local councillors.
There are now a total 250 portrait benches on the National Cycle Network. The latest additions were created in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and funded by the Department for Transport.
The Liverpool Loop Line is part of the National Cycle network, – over 12,000 miles of routes, around a third of which are traffic-free.
The Loop Line is a beautiful off-road path for walking, wheeling and cycling, which runs over 10 miles from Halewood to Aintree.
