West Bromwich Albion have teamed up with cardiac care charity Red Sky Foundation and Lauren’s Legacy to support their crucial #OneInEveryCorner campaign, which aims to have a defibrillator in every corner of every football ground across the Premier League and Football League.
The Hawthorns has now been fitted with four defibrillators, one on the outside of each corner of the stadium. They are available 24 hours a day and provide vital protection not only on a matchday, but also to those in the surrounding area at any time.
Founded by well-known football supporter Paul Gregory, affectionately nicknamed ‘Tango’, Lauren’s Legacy and the #OneInEveryCorner campaign began in memory of his beloved daughter, Lauren Walker.
Lauren tragically passed away in 2023, aged just 29, following a long period of illness. She was a passionate football supporter, just like her father. Three years before her passing, Lauren suffered a cardiac arrest, but was successfully revived thanks to the quick response of paramedics using defibrillators.
Only 1 in 10 people currently survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, and early CPR and the immediate use of a defibrillator can dramatically increase the chance of survival.
Since its formation in 2020, the Red Sky Foundation has placed over 800 defibrillators into communities, schools and grassroots organisations.
And the initiative continues to gain momentum, with growing support from football fans across the EFL and Premier League.
The #OneInEveryCorner campaign will give fans suffering a cardiac arrest in and around every stadium a fighting chance and aims to make football grounds safer places for everyone.
Speaking when the defibrillators were installed, Chris Harris, Albion’s Director of Operations & Safety, Health and Environment (SHE), said: “It's a fantastic initiative and we're so proud as a club to support Lauren's Legacy and the One in Every Corner campaign alongside the Red Sky Foundation.
"It's so important to us that the defibrillators are external facing so members of the public can access them too.
"There are two located on either side of the East Stand, one on the opposite corner of The Smethwick End where it meets the West Stand, and then one on the corner of Birmingham Road, opposite the Greggs."
Tango added: “It's a football fan's thing for football fans and the general public. We want to put something in place that can save people and save lives.
"It's been a pleasure working with the Albion fans and Chris (Harris) to get this sorted, and I can't thank everyone associated with the club for supporting us."
To support the #OneInEveryCorner campaign, fans can make a donation via laurenslegacy.redskyfoundation.com.
For those looking to learn CPR for free, visit: https://redskyfoundation.com/laurens-legacy/.