Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral erupted as a devastated sister collected her brothers degree after his death.
Katie Taylor stepped onto the graduation stage inside Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral to collect her 22-year-old brother's degree after he died suddenly while on holiday. Grant Taylor, who was due to graduate from the Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship course at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), died while on holiday in Val-d’Isere, France in February 2022.
In a video taken of the ceremony, people in the cathedral stood up and applauded when Katie took to the stage, with many people taking off their caps as a sign of respect. The family told The ECHO their time in Liverpool was "bittersweet" as they were proud of Grant's achievements but their hearts felt "heavy" without him there.
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Katie said: "There were a lot of nerves and several tears shed on Graduation Day, however the ceremony was beautiful and Liverpool John Moores honoured Grant amazingly. I am so thankful to LJMU for the chance to accept Grant’s degree on his behalf.
"Walking across the stage was utterly overwhelming; hearing the immense round of applause for my brother was breathtaking. All professors and LJMU staff members applauded so loudly, some even removed their caps in respect.
"The Pro-Vice Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University spoke so highly of my brother and praised my bravery for collecting the award for him. All of the staff were so welcoming and supportive of me and my family, making the day as easy as possible for us."
Grant, who was a Carlisle United FC season ticket holder, was described by his family as a "kind" man who "loved life" and Katie added "his smile would light up any room he entered and his laugh could be heard for miles".
Katie added: "Friends and family were immensely important to him, he always valued the meaning of a true friend and aspired greatly to fulfil this. As a people person, Grant had a very wide circle of friends although, his closest friends were more like family and were true brothers.
"Grant always made time for every person he loved. As my big brother, Grant tormented me for the whole 19 years we had together but also protected me with his whole heart and cared for me when I was upset."
Grant's family, who live in Cumbria, said he "loved" Liverpool and would always encourage his friends to explore the city.
Katie added: "He enjoyed everything about Liverpool, from its lively nightlife to its history and culture, particularly The Beatles.
"Liverpool has always held a special place in my brother’s heart. Growing up, our late grandad, Jim Hindley, told us countless stories of his childhood in Liverpool, which Grant and I loved spending hours listening to."
Grant, who loved travelling, was on track to receive a first-class honours, with only one exam, an assignment and dissertation remaining. The 22-year-old was awarded an Aegrotat Degree to commend work.
Professor Mike Riley, Director of LJMU’s School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment where Grant was studying, said: "It was an absolute honour to be able to read out Grant’s name at the graduation ceremony, and to see his sister Katie walk across the stage to collect his degree. The whole cathedral applauded and were clearly moved by the moment, one that all of us at LJMU were grateful to have played a role in."
Balfour Beatty, where Grant worked as a Trainee Civil Engineer, sponsored him in his studies and travelled to LJMU one day a week with other apprentices from Cumbria, including close friend Dylan Atkinson. Dylan told The ECHO how they had "many laughs" together.
He said: "Grant and I were at Trinity School and Sixth Form together, and then the same university lectures for five years. We helped push one another on throughout this time together, achieved some amazing things and shared some brilliant laughs.
"He’s the reason I am friends with people from university as he wasn’t afraid of getting to know new people and having a laugh with them”
After Grant's death Katie decided to share her journey through grief on the social media platform, TikTok. Katie has uploaded a number of videos over the last five months including the graduation ceremony, collecting Grant's DofE Gold Award at Buckingham Palace and even Liam Gallagher paying tribute to him at a concert in Manchester.
The graduation video went viral with more than two million people seeing the video in total. Katie said: "I did not expect so much love and support to come from posting one video.
"I have been totally overwhelmed by friends, family and strangers who have applauded me for my courage and congratulated Grant for his degree. The comments were so touching for me and my family; it is amazing to see that Grant carries on touching the hearts of others and is still making us all so proud."
As Grant died while in another country, his family and friends had to create a JustGiving page to pay for his repatriation and funeral. Any remaining money will be donated to Dementia UK.
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