Pompey show their support for Blue Day

Blue Day fundraising walkers leave Fratton Park last year, heading for Gunwharf Quays

Next Friday, hundreds of people across Portsmouth will be dressing in blue and holding blue-themed activities for the Tom Prince Cancer Trust.

Teenager Tom Prince was a huge Pompey fan and the club has backed Blue Day since its launch in 2008.

The club’s manager Paul Cook said: ‘We’re delighted to give our backing to Blue Day.

‘Our fans get behind this fantastic event every year and it’s great to see that so much money has been raised for such a worthy cause.’

Tom’s parents Adele and Clinton, from Southsea, founded the trust following the 15-year-old’s death in 2004 from rare bone cancer osteosarcoma.

They wanted to raise £1m for the research into the illness and reached this target last year.

A lot of the funds have been raised through Blue Day which started when Pompey reached the semi-final of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium, in 2008.

A second was held when the club progressed to the final and it has been organised every year since then.

It has traditionally been held on the Friday before Pompey’s final home game of the season.

This year it will be before Cheltenham visit Fratton Park and the Blues celebrate their promotion to League One.

Club captain and midfielder Michael Doyle said: ‘Blue Day is an event that sees the whole community come together to show their support for an amazing charity.

‘The Pompey squad are only too happy to get behind it as well.’

Lots of schools and businesses in Portsmouth have already signed up for the event which is on May 5.

It is easy to take part in Blue Day with many deciding just to wear blue. Other organisations sell cupcakes with blue icing, hold raffles or do sponsored car washes.

For more information or to sign up for Blue Day visit the Tom Prince Cancer Trust website at tomprince.co.uk.