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'Bring a couple of quid to support the defib' - West Brom fans fundraising in memory of Mark Townsend before Leicester fixture

An Albion fan is leading a fundraiser to support a defibrillator campaign in memory of Mark Townsend ahead of the first anniversary of his death.

By Lewis Cox
Published

Rich Sant, 55, has organised a bucket shake outside The Hawthorns before kick-off against Leicester City on Friday night as part of the Lauren's Legacy Campaign, which is pushing for defibrillators to be installed in each corner of every football stadium.

Sunday marks the one year anniversary of Mark's death at Hillsborough Stadium, home of Sheffield Wednesday. He fell ill in Albion's away end and collapsed during the first half as play went on and later died in Sheffield's Northern General Hospital.

In the wake of his death Mark's brother Steve asked why play was not paused while the incident occurred and why emergency response took a disproportionate amount of time to reach his aid. Mark's inquest begins in Sheffield on Monday and is expected to last for 10 days.

Mark Townsend, 57, a West Brom fan who died after he became unwell at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium on September 28, 2024.
Mark Townsend, 57, a West Brom fan who died after he became unwell at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium on September 28, 2024.

Baggies supporter Sant, a friend of Steve's for several years and who got to know Mark, requested permission from the Townsend family to become Albion ambassador for Lauren's Legacy Defibrillator Campaign - set up last December by Paul Gregory, whose daughter Lauren Walker died after a short illness in 2023. Football fan Lauren had previously been revived by paramedics using a defibrillator.

Sant, from Walsall, told the Express & Star: "Mark's inquest starts on Monday and we just want to get his face back out there, so people remember him.

"I was reached out to by Lauren's Legacy as Paul is a Sheffield Wednesday fan, who was there that day.

"We're trying to raise a little bit of money. I've spoke to the family, Mark's brother Steve and wife Marion, to ask their permission which they agreed to. Marion is coming over for the game.

"I've been in touch with the club for permission. A picture of Mark will go on the screen in the 58th minute and is in the programme. It just refreshes peoples' memories of who he is.

"If we can save one football fan in a stadium from the same happening as did to Mark then we've done something."

West Brom players and fans stopped to applaud Mark Townsend in their first home match following his death
West Brom players and fans stopped to applaud Mark Townsend in their first home match following his death

The fundraiser is 'bring a couple of quid to support the defib' and there will be bucket collectors outside each of the stands at The Hawthorns before the Foxes clash. There will also be the opportunity to scan a link to also visit a donate page online. All proceeds go to the #oneineverycorner campaign.

Steve Townsend told the Express & Star that The Hawthorns is well-stocked with the emergency medical equipment, though the club have said they will gladly put the funds towards another on-site defibrillator ready to be used if required in Mark's memory.

Lauren's Legacy has so far raised in the region of £21,000 as they look to have defibrillators installed in each area of stadia around the country.

Sant is hoping to gather more support to help shake buckets ahead of the clash and requires a supporter outside the Birmingham Road end and one outside Halfords Lane. The fundraising will take place and be collected ahead of kick-off.

Those interesting in volunteering their support can contact Sant on santrich1269@gmail.com on email or message 'Rich Sant' on Facebook or @baggies_rich69 on X/Twitter.