Paul Markham, 50, was celebrating Blackpool FC's victory with hundreds of other fans outside Bloomfield Road stadium last Sunday when he intercepted the firework. The roofer, also known as "Speedy", saw the explosive being fired into the air before landing into a group of children. A crowdfunding page set up by a school friend to help him in case his career were affected by the tragic incident has already risen £9,000, way above the initial £1,000 target. "I started the page to help him financially as we've been friends for years and that's what friends do when friends are need." Around a year ago a planter was set alight in Blackpool which he managed to put out before fire crews arrived.

Source: Daily Mirror May 17, 2021 19:49 UTC