Wembley’s stands will be temporarily named after four football fans for the EFL Play-Off finals as part of Sky Bet and British Heart Foundation’s Every Minute Matters campaign.
The campaign, backed by the EFL, aims to inspire football fans to learn the lifesaving skill of CPR. Each year in the UK, more than 40,000 people suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, with less than one in 10 surviving.
Four supporters will be recognised with stands at the finals, with three having been kept alive by individuals who acted quickly using CPR.
One stand will be named after Sunderland fan Callum Lawson, who survived a cardiac arrest during last year’s Championship Play-Off Final.
Another will be named after Pippa Sharman, recognising the Reading fan who helped to save the life of an opposition supporter when they had collapsed at the wheel of their car after a game.
Stands have also been named after Andy Wall and Ed McCann, who both survived cardiac arrests.
Wembley’s stands will be temporarily named after four football fans for the EFL Play-Off finals as part of Sky Bet and British Heart Foundation’s Every Minute Matters campaign
Wall had a cardiac arrest moments before half-time whistle whilst watching Norwich, while Bradford fan McCann was aided by a Burnley supporter who performed CPR.
‘Wembley will always hold huge meaning for me, so to see fans being celebrated who have been through similar experiences to myself is incredibly emotional and special,’ said Every Minute Matters ambassador Tom Lockyer, who collapsed on the pitch during Luton Town’s Play-Off final victory at Wembley in 2023.
‘After experiencing a cardiac arrest, I know first-hand how important immediate CPR and quick action can be. The four people having stands named after them are truly incredible.
‘Whether they survived a cardiac arrest themselves or stepped forward to help save somebody else’s life, they’ve shown extraordinary courage and strength.
‘Football has an unbelievable power to bring people together and over the last two years we’ve seen clubs, players and fans unite behind a cause that genuinely saves lives.
‘These stories are proof that ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference when every minute matters. The fact that 520,000 people have now started learning CPR through Every Minute Matters is something everyone involved in the campaign should be proud of.’
It is hoped the temporary stand names will be seen by around 200,000 fans attending the Play-Off finals at Wembley, as well as millions more watching live on Sky Sports.
Fans can show their support and learn CPR in just 15-minutes: Search BHF RevivR and/or visit revivr.bhf.org.uk
