A FUNDRAISER to help the family of a footballer from Newton Aycliffe who suddenly died on the pitch has surpassed its £20,000 target – with his family now hoping to raise awareness of the importance of defibrillators at sports clubs.
Father of three Darren Scott passed away on Saturday (February 12) during a football match between his Cobblers Hall over 40s team and South Shields Catholic Club after having an unexpected medical emergency.
At the time, the 40-year-old, who only joined the Newton Aycliffe side at the start of the season, was helped by his teammates, opposition players and the emergency services, who all heroically battled to save his life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Read more: Tributes paid to Newton Aycliffe footballer who died on the pitch
After his death, heartfelt tributes have been paid to the family man, who leaves behind his wife Donna, who he married in October 2021 and his three children: Declan, 17, Noah, 15 and Layna, 9.
In a joint statement, his family said: “He was an amazing man. Darren was a loyal friend and husband, devoted father, supportive coach, a genuinely great man who gave so much to so many.”
“Football played an important part in Darren’s life. He dedicated much of his time coaching Newton Aycliffe Youth Eagles Under 15s; supporting his children in following their dreams Declan and Noah are both exceptionally skilled and accomplished players - he was so proud of them both.
“His daughter, Layna runs for Newton Aycliffe and has just been chosen to run in the regional team something Daz was Buzzin’ about. She will be running competitively in March.
“Darren would be the first to help others. Family, friends, and the football community have been left shocked and devastated by his sudden and tragic death. He leaves behind a family, to whom he was devoted.”
Alongside the tributes, a Just Giving fundraising page was set up to support Darren’s family by Cobblers Hall representative, Mark Preston, who initially targeted £20,000.
After just three days of running the fundraiser, Mr Preston has already received over £21,000 – and has thanked all of those that have played their part in donating – including children donating their pocket money, friends making “overwhelming” contributions, and Darren’s story even reaching New Zealand and other people abroad.
The money will now be used to support Darren’s family, including supporting his three children with their future, as well as helping with funeral costs for the Newton Aycliffe footballer.
Mr Preston said: “I can’t thank the local community enough – the football family has rallied, and locals have contacted me in numbers to donate to Darren’s family – it’s overwhelming.
“I don’t think it’s quite set in yet that Darren has gone – I’ve spoken to so many people that have shared their memories of him that I still feel like he’s here.
“I’m not surprised that the fundraiser has reached this amount in a way because it shows how well thought of he was.”
For people that want to contribute money to the fundraiser, they can donate online here, or at Cobblers Hall pub on Carer’s Way in Newton Aycliffe.
Now that the fundraiser has reached its target, there’s no signs of it slowing down – and Mark and Donna are continuing to talk about spreading awareness of the need to defibrillators.
When Darren collapsed on the pitch, there was no defibrillator available at the time. However, Cobblers Hall Football Club are now looking to prevent further medical episodes after their main sponsor, Securicorp, bought them the lifesaving piece of kit, which they will now be taking to every match with them.
Mr Preston added: “I keep telling myself that no matter if there was a defibrillator there that day, it won’t bring him back. But we can prevent others from going through the same awful experience.
“Defibrillators should be provided at every sport ground where physical activity is played – it should be the council’s responsibility. These Premier League clubs that pay players £300,000 per week could actually pay for thousands of defibrillators and I think grassroots football should get more health and safety funding.
As well as the tributes and the fundraiser, several more gestures to remember Darren have been put in the pipeline – starting with Newton Aycliffe FC collecting donations for the father of three at their home game on Saturday, which his family will attend.
Mr Scott will also be remembered by his beloved Newcastle United and will feature in the match day programme this coming weekend.
A Newcastle United connection will also be seen at Darren’s funeral – with his family asking everyone to attend the service on Friday, March 4 at 12.30pm at Wear Valley Crematorium in a NUFC shirt – which will come as a shock to his Sunderland supporting friends, according to Mark.
For those who can’t attend the crematorium and the wake at The Big Club in Newton Aycliffe, there will be a live stream of the funeral that will be show in The Big Club.
A minutes’ silence will also be undertaken at every one of the 90 fixtures in the Sunderland footballing league this weekend – where grassroots players from Darlington, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland will pay their respects to Darren, who is one of only three people to die on the football pitch in the 40 years of the league’s existence.
Later in the year, plans are afoot to try and organise a sports dinner in memory of Darren, which will include auctioned off memorabilia. If anyone has memorabilia that they want to offer for the future event, they can do so by contacting markpreston1974@hotmail.co.uk.
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