It’s two years now since we had the shock of the late Councillor Tayo Oladapo’s untimely death aged 34. People have been asking where he is laid to rest and it’s now time to raise funds for a headstone to mark his grave in the Paddington Old Cemetery for family and friends to remember his life and his contributions to LB Brent and beyond.

Temitayo Oladapo, born 7th March 1981, studied at Kingston University and was aiming to become a journalist when he was selected to stand as a Labour Party candidate for Kilburn Ward, LB Brent in 2008. Bringing political passion and people skills, Tayo helped connect the local party branch with young people in  the community, working closely with the local police as well as housing and other council officers to help improve family lives in Kilburn. Once elected to represent Kilburn in 2010, Tayo worked tirelessly for local people, taking up problems around the Kilburn High Rd and chairing Brent’s local Area Consultative Forum while he had by then joined the Civil Service. Sadly he became ill in 2014 and in spite of fighting for his life undergoing a liver transplant, he passed away on 29th January 2016.

With his family living in Nigeria and the USA, the Brent Labour Group helped make funeral and burial arrangements with Co-op Funeralcare. The Sickle Cell Society,  based locally in Harlesden provided the family and friends with expert support and understanding, helping us through difficult times and giving some context to the effects of Sickle Cell Disorder on Tayo’s young life. The society also commemorated him as an example of holding public office, albeit suffering from bouts of sickle cell disorder, to help inspire others with the disorder to be aspirational.

Your donation will help us pay for Tayo’s headstone for which the Co-op Funeralcare Cricklewood has offered to give us extra support and any surplus will be used to raise awareness of Sickle Cell disorder and support the work of the Sickle Cell Society.