Archbishop to preach at Damilola service

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr George Carey will preach at a special church service to mark the first anniversary of the death of Damilola Taylor.

A youth centre will also be officially named after the 10-year-old. His father Richard Taylor will unveil a bronze relief of his son's profile there.

The memorial service at St Luke's Church in Peckham, south London, on November 27 will be attended by Mr Taylor, his wife Gloria and their children Gbemi and Tunde.

The family and other guests will then move to the nearby Warwick Park Youth Centre which will be re-dedicated in Damilola's name.

The first phase of a project to refurbish it as the Damilola Taylor Centre is already under way.

Mr Taylor will make a speech to about 80 guests before unveiling the relief of Damilola.

The Damilola Taylor Trust will also be officially launched.

It was set up to raise money for new youth facilities and to give relief to young people suffering from epilepsy, the disorder which Damilola's sister Gbemi came to the UK to have treated.

Peckham-born England football star Rio Ferdinand has already made a pledge to the Trust. Singers Gabrielle, Des'Ree and Damage are also contributing royalties from the sale of their single Wake Up the Morning which will be released this month.

Damilola bled to death in a stairwell on his way home from a computer class at Peckham Library 12 months ago.