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Australian surfing great Mark Richardson is desperately seeking blood donations as friends scramble to get the critically ill surf coach back home from Indonesia.
Key points:
Surfing great Mark Richardson is in intensive care at a hospital in BaliHe is suffering internal bleeding, with friends issuing a public plea for helpRichardson has coached world champion tour surfers including Liam O’Brien and Isabella Nichols
Friends Nathan and Fiona Meyer have been at Denpasar with Richardson, who was hospitalised with internal bleeding about 10 days ago.
Mr Meyer said Richardson requires transfusions of the rare A negative blood type.
“He’s had quite a few [transfusions] already – some take, some don’t,” he said.
“There’s language barriers, there’s all sorts of hurdles and red tape. We’re fumbling our way through it.”
Mr Meyer said he donated his own blood to Richardson but the surfing great “went downhill” about four days ago.
“I wish I could give blood every day but unfortunately it’s about once every six weeks, the specialists told me,” he said.
‘Lots of love and support’
Richardson is the well-known coach of World Surf League stars including Liam O’Brien, Callum Robson and Isabella Nichols.
It is “tough news” to comprehend for Liam O’Brien.
“He has been my coach since I was a little kid and helped me develop all of my skill set,” O’Brien said.
“He has been a massive part of my life, obviously as an athlete but also in a personal relationship as well.
Currently at home on the Gold Coast, O’Brien said he is trying to piece together what is happening to Richardson from afar.
“I know he is not in the best of ways so hopefully it can all work out and he can get back to full health:”
Surfing commentator Terry “Tappa” Teece said Mr Richardson is “one of the greats”.
“A multiple Australian champion and it is so sad to see him in this predicament,” Teece said.
“I am sure he will fight through it, but I think the best solution would be to get him home.
“He has coached some of the great surfers, the community is getting behind him which is great.”
Ms Meyer said friends and family have begun crowdfunding to pay for a medevac to Australia.
“There are lots of prayers going on out there for him as well, lots of positive thoughts and love and support,” she said.
But Ms Meyer said blood donations are needed urgently so that Richardson can be stabilised before a flight becomes available.
“We feel quite helpless.”
Richardson is highly respected within the Gold Coast community, and a popular surfing coach at Miami State High School.
“He is a legend – everyone knows him, and he’s just an all-round good guy,” Mr Meyer said.
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