Scholarship set up in name of Tunisia beach attack victim is 'fitting tribute', says his mum
The University of Worcester has launched the Joel Richards Scholarship Fund in memory of former student Joel, who died alongside his uncle and grandfather in the 2015 attack
The mum of a 19-year-old killed in the Tunisia beach terror attack says a University of Worcester scholarship set up in his name to help people with sports and education qualifications is "just what he would've wanted".
Joel Richards, from Wednesbury in Sandwell, died alongside his uncle and grandfather from the attack which took place on 26 June 2015 on a beach near Sousse.
Now, the University of Worcester have launched the Joel Richards Scholarship Fund in memory of their former student to help students in areas which Joel had a strong interest in.
"It's absolutely lovely," his mum Suzanne said.
"10 years on since that tragic day and to think that the university are still remembering Joel and still want to set up things for Joel.
"When I got the e-mail from the university asking about what I thought about the scholarship, I just thought I couldn't of thought of a more fitting tribute to Joel."
The fund will help people with coaching, refereeing, tutoring, first aid and will also support pupils from Joel’s former schools, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and Wood Green Academy in Wednesbury, who go on to study at the University of Worcester.
Following the attack, Suzanne, alongside Joel’s brother Owen who survived it, established the charity Smile for Joel, work which has led to her being awarded an MBE.
She says Joel had ambitions to be a PE teacher and was also a level 4 football referee.
"He did lots of volunteering hours trying to get people into sport, he worked with the Birmingham FA in grassroots sports trying to get people into refereeing and and coaching, so this scholarship has just got Joel's name written all over it," she said.
"He realised how sport was great for your mental health and for your well-being and he wanted everybody to take part in it.
"So having this fund now, which is there for students that do sports degrees, helping them along with their coaching badges, their refereeing badges, It's just what Joel would want and it's brilliant and we're so happy and so proud."
The university, which named a conference suite at the University of Worcester arena after him, say Joel was a "cherished member of the community" and the scholarship fund aims to "honour his legacy by helping others pursue their ambitions in sport and education".
An event is due to be held in the arena next month on the 6 November to raise funds for student scholarships and hardship support.