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Skater champ's tribute park opens Skater champ's tribute park opens
(1 day later)
Skaters have taken to the ramps of a park in the Vale of Glamorgan which has been revamped in memory of an international champion.Skaters have taken to the ramps of a park in the Vale of Glamorgan which has been revamped in memory of an international champion.
Richard Taylor was 23 when he died after failing to regain consciousness following an accident near his home in Barry three years ago.Richard Taylor was 23 when he died after failing to regain consciousness following an accident near his home in Barry three years ago.
He fractured his skull after crashing into a lamp-post on a practice run. He fractured his skull after crashing into a lamppost on a practice run.
The leader of the local council which contributed funds to the park said she was "thrilled to bits" it was open.The leader of the local council which contributed funds to the park said she was "thrilled to bits" it was open.
Just weeks before his death on 7 August 2004, Richard had won the UK in-line skating championships for the second year running.Just weeks before his death on 7 August 2004, Richard had won the UK in-line skating championships for the second year running.
As he'd originally canvassed to get the skate park up in 1996 it just seemed apt to make this a tribute to him Gaynor Taylor, motherAs he'd originally canvassed to get the skate park up in 1996 it just seemed apt to make this a tribute to him Gaynor Taylor, mother
But the skate park at The Knap has been designed for all levels of inline skaters, skateboarders and BMXers.But the skate park at The Knap has been designed for all levels of inline skaters, skateboarders and BMXers.
Richard's mother Gaynor Taylor said: "It's really something that everybody wanted.Richard's mother Gaynor Taylor said: "It's really something that everybody wanted.
"As he'd originally canvassed to get the skate park up in 1996 it just seemed apt to make this a tribute to him.""As he'd originally canvassed to get the skate park up in 1996 it just seemed apt to make this a tribute to him."
She said the Richard Taylor Memorial Fund - which aims to promote awareness of organ donation and help provide scholarships and bursaries for youths - had raised £90,000 to date.She said the Richard Taylor Memorial Fund - which aims to promote awareness of organ donation and help provide scholarships and bursaries for youths - had raised £90,000 to date.
The Vale of Glamorgan Council contributed £30,000 towards the new park.The Vale of Glamorgan Council contributed £30,000 towards the new park.
Richard Taylor turned professional at 16Richard Taylor turned professional at 16
The leader, Councillor Margaret Alexander, said: "I'm thrilled to bits that it's in use now and youngsters are enjoying themselves.The leader, Councillor Margaret Alexander, said: "I'm thrilled to bits that it's in use now and youngsters are enjoying themselves.
"I think if I were 30 years younger I'd be up there myself.""I think if I were 30 years younger I'd be up there myself."
Ms Alexander added that providing such facilities was a way of channelling young people's energy in a "positive way" and keeping them from "wrong-doing".Ms Alexander added that providing such facilities was a way of channelling young people's energy in a "positive way" and keeping them from "wrong-doing".
The official opening of the revamped skate park followed a weekend of events in memory of Richard, including a competition in Newport on Saturday and the showing of a documentary on the extreme sports enthusiast.The official opening of the revamped skate park followed a weekend of events in memory of Richard, including a competition in Newport on Saturday and the showing of a documentary on the extreme sports enthusiast.
An inquest into Richard's death heard that he was not wearing a safety helmet and had died after he crashed trying to avoid a car.An inquest into Richard's death heard that he was not wearing a safety helmet and had died after he crashed trying to avoid a car.
He died in hospital five days later and five of his organs were donated.He died in hospital five days later and five of his organs were donated.
Richard had turned professional at 16 and was among the top European in-line skaters.Richard had turned professional at 16 and was among the top European in-line skaters.