Donations pour in for family of teenager who collapsed during Leeds kickboxing fight

A crowdfunding bid to support the family of a teenage kickboxer who collapsed during a national championship fight in Leeds at the weekend has exceeded its fundraising target.
Leeds Martial Arts.Leeds Martial Arts.
Leeds Martial Arts.

Scott Marsden was taken to Leeds General Infirmary on Saturday night after the English kickboxing title fight at Alexandra Mill in Morley was halted.

In a statement released yesterday, West Yorkshire Police said Scott, aged 14, was in a critical condition in hospital and that the incident was not being treated as suspicious.

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Scott is believed to be a member of Marsden’s All Styles Kickboxing in Sheffield.

A JustGiving webpage set up by a friend, Charlotte Rowlett, had initially sought to raise £400 to support Scott’s family but a flood of donations saw the target raised to £600 - with even this revised figure having now been topped.

Ms Rowlett wrote: “I’ve had the pleasure of helping Scotty raise money in the past to help send him off to fight overseas in the WKU world open championship, where he won Gold - 50kg division, something I was so incredibly proud of him for doing. So thought it fitting I do it for him again now, even though it’s breaking my heart.”

A Facebook post by Marsden’s All Styles Kickboxing club on Sunday said the fight that Scott had been taking part in was very close when it was halted.

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“There was no way to foresee the fight ending in such a way as at no point were either ever in any overwhelming danger from each other,” it added.

“Everyone is still in shock as there were simply no signs to suggest the fight needed to be stopped.

“The referee stepped in to protect Scott as soon as he could, which meant Scott did not hit the canvas and was laid down and straight into recovery position.

“Scott was then taken to hospital.”