Today marks 25 years since the death of 10 year old Damilola Taylor, and his family, friends, campaigners and community leaders will come together in central London to remember his life and address the enduring impact of youth violence. Among those attending are London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who will join the Taylor family in honouring a young life cut short and in reflecting on the lasting significance of his story.

On 27 November 2000, Damilola had been walking home from Peckham Library after school. Just moments later, he was attacked with a broken bottle, suffering a stab wound to his leg. He managed to reach a stairwell in the North Peckham Estate, where he collapsed and died. His death gripped the nation. His warm smile and his dream of becoming a doctor to "save the world" came to represent the lost potential of countless young victims of violence.

The then prime minister Tony Blair described the tragedy as "utterly heart-breaking", and news bulletins dominated headlines for days with scenes from Peckham. Millions followed the investigation as police worked to uncover what had happened, while the Taylor family, who had moved from Nigeria to London in search of better opportunities for their children, faced unimaginable grief in the public eye.

Damilola's parents, Richard and Gloria, were thrust into national attention, yet they chose not to retreat from it. Instead, they channelled their pain into action. The trials that followed at the Old Bailey drew intense scrutiny. A young reporter for BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat at the time witnessed the proceedings first hand as brothers Ricky and Danny Preddie, who had been 12 and 13 at the time of the killing, were convicted of Damilola's manslaughter on 9 August 2006, almost six years after his death.

In the months after losing his son, Richard Taylor established the Damilola Taylor Trust with a clear but ambitious purpose, to support disadvantaged young people and offer opportunities that might guide them away from harm and towards hope.

Over the past quarter century, the trust has launched mentoring schemes for young people in some of London's most deprived communities, opened the Damilola Taylor Centre in Southwark, hosted annual awards celebrating youth achievement, built partnerships with schools, charities and youth organisations and campaigned tirelessly on issues including youth violence, mental health and safety. For many, the trust stands as a symbol of resilience and transformation.

Tunde Taylor, Damilola's brother said:

"Everything we do, every young person we reach, is part of Damilola's legacy. Every anniversary is hard for the family, but this one is poignant because we are also celebrating the work the trust has been doing in his name. His legacy of hope."

Gary Trowsdale, CEO of the trust, emphasised their commitment, saying they were dedicated to,

"Creating impactful projects that influence real change".

Many individuals who passed through the trust's programmes are now adults with jobs, families and futures they once doubted they would reach. They credit the charity with giving them direction and a sense of belonging at moments when they needed it most.

Sarah Jones, crime and policing minister, said that Damilola's death remained a "stark reminder of the devastating impact of youth violence".

Twenty five years on, the memory of a young boy who dreamed of saving the world continues to inspire efforts to make it safer for the generations that followed him.