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Stabbed man given sport honour Stabbed man given sport honour
(about 7 hours later)
A Cardiff fitness instructor stabbed to death on holiday in the United States is to be given a posthumous award for his contribution to sport. A Cardiff fitness instructor stabbed to death on holiday in the United States has been given a posthumous award for his contribution to sport.
The first ever Inspiration In Fitness Award from Fitness Wales, the exercise governing body will go to Lavern Ritch. The first Inspiration In Fitness Award from Fitness Wales, the exercise governing body, went to Lavern Ritch.
In the future, it will be awarded to others who make a significant contribution to Welsh fitness.In the future, it will be awarded to others who make a significant contribution to Welsh fitness.
The 37-year-old's sister Carla said the family was "very, very proud" of him.The 37-year-old's sister Carla said the family was "very, very proud" of him.
She will attend Fitness Wales' annual convention at the Welsh Institute of Sport in Cardiff on Saturday with her mother Barbara to receive the honour. She attended Fitness Wales' annual convention at the Welsh Institute of Sport in Cardiff on Saturday with her mother Barbara to receive the honour.
"I think it's fantastic. Lavern was an inspiration because he got children motivated and interested in sport and keeping fit," said Carla, 28, who found out she was expecting a child not long after her brother was killed last August."I think it's fantastic. Lavern was an inspiration because he got children motivated and interested in sport and keeping fit," said Carla, 28, who found out she was expecting a child not long after her brother was killed last August.
He meant so much and was such a special person so we came up with a new award Mary Sheppard, director of Fitness WalesHe meant so much and was such a special person so we came up with a new award Mary Sheppard, director of Fitness Wales
"The family thinks it's fab. It's a surprise on one hand, but on the other hand it isn't as Lavern was special."The family thinks it's fab. It's a surprise on one hand, but on the other hand it isn't as Lavern was special.
"I think Lavern would be happy that he is contributing to the sporting industry even after his death.""I think Lavern would be happy that he is contributing to the sporting industry even after his death."
Mr Ritch, from Penarth, who appeared on TV game show Gladiators and had been voted one of the most eligible bachelors in the UK, taught swimming and fitness classes across Cardiff.Mr Ritch, from Penarth, who appeared on TV game show Gladiators and had been voted one of the most eligible bachelors in the UK, taught swimming and fitness classes across Cardiff.
It was the outpouring of grief and admiration for Lavern from colleagues and those he taught that led to Fitness Wales creating his award. It was the outpouring of grief and admiration for Mr Ritch from colleagues and those he taught that led to Fitness Wales creating his award.
"We wanted to remember Lavern and to ensure he's not forgotten," said Mary Sheppard, director of Fitness Wales."We wanted to remember Lavern and to ensure he's not forgotten," said Mary Sheppard, director of Fitness Wales.
"It really sums up Lavern and will be a lasting memorial to him."It really sums up Lavern and will be a lasting memorial to him.
'Smile''Smile'
"People in the future can nominate somebody in the fitness business to receive the award but there's no guarantee we will give the award every year - people will really have to earn it.""People in the future can nominate somebody in the fitness business to receive the award but there's no guarantee we will give the award every year - people will really have to earn it."
She said Lavern embodied up what an inspirational instructor should be. She said Mr Ritch embodied up what an inspirational instructor should be.
"Everybody he worked with just loved him and so did the children he taught to swim," she said."Everybody he worked with just loved him and so did the children he taught to swim," she said.
"When he was teaching fitness classes, everyone would come out with a smile on their face. You couldn't walk the next day - but you enjoyed doing it.""When he was teaching fitness classes, everyone would come out with a smile on their face. You couldn't walk the next day - but you enjoyed doing it."
In addition to the award, Lavern's colleagues and family are hoping to raise money through the Lavern Ritch Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of disabled adults and children who suffer from mobility diseases through fitness. In addition to the award, Mr Ritch's colleagues and family are hoping to raise money through the Lavern Ritch Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of disabled adults and children who suffer from mobility diseases through fitness.
Mr Ritch was on a night out with friends on 12 August when he was stabbed in the chest in Margate, New Jersey.Mr Ritch was on a night out with friends on 12 August when he was stabbed in the chest in Margate, New Jersey.
It has been reported he tried to intervene in a fight and was stabbed.It has been reported he tried to intervene in a fight and was stabbed.
A man has been remanded, charged with aggravated manslaughter.A man has been remanded, charged with aggravated manslaughter.