Ben will be backing Blues from heaven
One of Pompey's biggest fans will be looking down and cheering his beloved team from heaven as they bid for FA Cup glory, his family believe.
Heather Civil is certain her late son Ben will watching over the semi-final clash against West Bromwich Albion, and the family are making sure they do their bit to get behind the team as well.
To mark The News Blue Day – which aims to get tens of thousands of people wearing blue and raising money for the Tom Prince Cancer Trust – Mrs Civil and her husband Steve will wear the special Pompey shirts they wore to Ben's funeral for the first time since he was laid to rest six years ago.
The young man, a huge Pompey fan, was killed in a brawl, aged 17, in 2002 but his mother is determined he will still be part of the big day.
She is arranging a disco and buffet in his memory on Blue Day on April 4, the eve of the historic Wembley trip, to help raise money for the cancer fund, and it is there that the emotional couple, both 45, plan to wear their precious shirts.
Mrs Civil said she was determined to get involved in Blue Day after she read about Tom Prince who, like her son, died at a young age.
Tom lost his battle with bone cancer in October, 2004, the day before his 16th birthday.
The Tom Prince Cancer Trust was set up by his parents, from Southsea, and aims to raise 1m to help other people with the disease.
'When I read about Tom in The News I knew I had to do something,' said Mrs Civil. 'Although Ben didn't die in the same circumstances I know what it's like to lose a son.
'The pain is just horrible for any parent so if this can keep another child alive I will do anything to help.'
She thinks both Ben and Tom will be going wild with excitement on the day of the big match next month.
'I'm sure Ben and Tom have gathered a crowd up there to support Pompey.
'Ben will be screaming. He used to shake with excitement when there was a big game, just like he did at Christmas.'
Just two weeks before Ben died he had run the Great South Run to raise money for cancer sufferers, after his grandmother was diagnosed with the disease.
The disco will take place at Lee-on-the-Solent Golf Club. There are 150 tickets, each costing 5. Some are still available. For more information call Mrs Civil on 07707 773626.
jenny.haworth @thenews.co.uk
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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