Damilola mother's funeral held

More than 400 people gathered for the service

Hundreds of mourners gathered for the funeral of the mother of stabbing victim Damilola Taylor.

Politicians, community leaders and friends were among those at All Saints Church in Plumstead, south-east London to honour Gloria Taylor.

The 57-year-old died from a suspected heart attack in April while walking with her husband in Shooter's Hill, south-east London.

Damilola was 10 when he was fatally wounded in a Peckham estate in 2000.

Danny and Rickie Preddie are serving eight-year terms for his manslaughter.

'Never the same'

Damilola's father Richard Taylor was unable to personally deliver the eulogy to his wife.

Instead, a close family friend Wale Buraimoh told the congregation of more than 400 people: "Richard's told me to tell you that his life will never be the same without her."

Since Damilola's death, Mr and Mrs Taylor had campaigned to try to improve the lives of youngsters both in Britain and their native Nigeria.

Mrs Taylor devoted her life to helping deprived youngsters

They founded the Damilola Taylor Trust in 2001.

Paying tribute to Mrs Taylor, England football captain Rio Ferdinand, who grew up in Peckham, said: "Gloria Taylor's strength and resolve to help make a difference for the better in the community when setting up the Damilola Taylor Trust shortly after Damilola's sad death was an inspiration to me."

ITV presenter Sir Trevor McDonald praised Mrs Taylor's "amazing warmth and compassion coupled with a humility that at times was hard to comprehend" during the court battle.

"Everyone will have to work hard in now striving to boost in inner city local communities, some of the groundwork for which has been laid by the trust," he said.

Sir Trevor McDonald praised Mrs Taylor's "amazing warmth"

Labour Party Deputy Leader Harriet Harman also remembered Mrs Taylor.

She said: "Gloria suffered terribly after the tragic murder of her son Damilola but she bore her grief with great dignity.

"It is so tragic that her life has been cut short. She will be missed greatly not only by her family and friends but by all who worked with her."

Damilola was attacked as he was walking home from the local library after school.

He bled to death after being stabbed in the leg with a broken beer bottle.

The Preddie brothers were convicted of Damilola's manslaughter after three trials and two police investigations, parts of which were strongly criticised.