02 May 2023 , 11:12
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Jack Grealish has donated £5,000 to the family of close friend Shawn Francis as tributes pour in for the Aston Villa fan.
The 29-year-old supporter, a season ticket holder at Villa Park, was tragically found dead on Saturday. Heartbreakingly, he had been set to become a dad for the first time this summer, with partner Danielle pregnant with a baby boy.
A donation page has since been set up in his memory, to help cover the funeral costs and support Shawn's loved ones. A message on the page reads: "We want to raise funds to support Shawn's family, to help cover the costs of the funeral and raising a baby, and lower the financial burden after such a devastating tragedy. We want to give baby L, who will be a nephew to all of us, the best possible start in life, and we know that our friends and wider community can come together to make a positive difference."
The page currently has a target of £25,000, with the current figure raised nearing £22,000 already. And Grealish, who spent nine years at Villa before his £100million move to Man City two years ago, had little hesitation in boosting the appeal.
A tribute on Shawn's personal Instagram page read: “Heaven gained the most beautiful and purest angel of all. Our hearts will forever be missing a huge piece that you filled. You were the most caring, loving, honest and fun person who deserved more from life.
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The page has been set up to raise funds for Shawn's funeral (GoFundMe)“Our son will be your legacy and we know that through him you will always be with us. He will always know how special and amazing his daddy is. Words will never measure the joy and love you brought us all and, until we meet again, love you. Rest in heavenly paradise, you have gone home to your mom and dad now. Love you always our angel.”
Another friend in famous Birmingham based DJ Russell Osbourne, who himself donated £1,000 to the page, responded to the post: "Love you forever my bro, words can’t describe this loss," he wrote. "It was only the other day you were giving me the words I needed to hear, see you again one day."
Grealish spent 12 years at Villa, the club Shawn supported passionatelyAnother well known musician in Nathan Dawe added: "A true gent at all times. I’m so so sorry." Thousands of other fans left heartbreak emoji's or the words 'Rest in Peace'.
The has reported that a balloon release will be held on Saturday at the Castle Vale Stadium, Farnborough Road, in Shawn's honour. It will begin at 3pm and those wanting to attend have been asked to bring claret and blue balloons to reflect his passion for Aston Villa.