Coronavirus: Tributes after fitness instructor and her mum die within days of each other

TRIBUTES have been paid to a “much loved and respected” fitness instructor who passed away after contracting coronavirus – days after her mother’s death from Covid-19.

Debbie Trotter ran her own weekly Clubbercise classes – a mixture of aerobics and dance moves – at Testwood School in Totton and at Totton and Eling Community Centre. Her mother Margaret also died from the virus last week.

Debbie had been employed by New Forest District Council since 2013, as an instructor at its leisure centres.

A statement on the Totton and Eling Leisure Centre Facebook page, which was posted on Monday evening, said: “It is with much sadness that we need to announce that our much loved and respected instructor Debbie Trotter passed away on 13th April.

“Debbie commenced her employment as a group fitness instructor in 2013 and during her time with us taught zumba and aqua classes at a number of our venues. Debbie was always full of energy and would light up any venue with her bubbly personality and had an incredible zest for teaching.

Debbie’s great love was teaching zumba classes and one of her greatest moments was meeting the founder and creator of the Zumba Programme, Beto Perez, in 2016.”

The statement added: “Debbie will be greatly missed by all that knew and worked with her, especially the many regulars who attended her classes. When the time is right, we will look towards a fitting tribute to Debbie.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Debbie’s family and friends, especially her sister Jane at this time.”

A statement on behalf of Totton and Eling Community Centre was also posted online, which said: “We would like to extend our sympathy to the family of Debbie Trotter and her beloved mum, who have both died in hospital due to Covid-19.

“Debbie ran Clubbercise at the community centre and other venues, and was always so lively and energetic. She will be missed by so many. This really does hit home hard, so please stay safe everyone.”

Friends of Debbie responding to the news also paid tribute online. One said: “Tragic news and a great loss to so many of us. Thoughts to her sister – not only losing [Debbie], but also her mum to this awful disease.”

Another wrote: “Her classes were the best, she made keeping fit fun. Such a lovely lady with the biggest heart taken far too early in awful circumstances.”