Portsmouth school is ready to raise money for Blue Day

From left, Holly Whitley, Jack Richardson, Carrie Davies and Chloe Finch at Milton Park Primary School
on last year's Blue Day — From left, Holly Whitley, Jack Richardson, Carrie Davies and Chloe Finch at Milton Park Primary School on last year's Blue Day

Milton Park Primary School has signed up for this year’s Blue Day on Friday, May 6.

The Portsmouth school is one of many organisations holding blue-themed activities to raise money for the Tom Prince Cancer Trust.

Since the fundraiser started in 2008, Milton Park, off Eastney Road, has been one of the first to register every year.

Headteacher Julie Smith said: ‘We have supported the charity from the very beginning and it is important for us to continue to do so.

‘The trust is a Portsmouth charity started in memory of a Portsmouth teenager and it is important that the children remember there are people less fortunate than themselves.

‘They learn that some families are going through tough times.’

Adele and Clinton Prince, the parents of 15-year-old Tom, set up the charity in his memory.

The Pompey fan died of the rare bone cancer osteosarcoma on the eve of his 16th birthday in 2004.

When Portsmouth FC reached the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in 2008, the trust decided to hold Blue Day.

Backed by The News, it has been held every year since then on the day before Pompey’s final home game of the season.

It encourages businesses and schools in Portsmouth and surrounding areas to dress in blue.

Mrs Smith added: ‘We’re really looking forward to Blue Day this year.

‘We always have an assembly on Friday and it is great to see the children dressed up in blue and really making an effort. It is brilliant looking at the sea of blue.’

As previously reported in The News the Tom Prince Cancer Trust is hoping to reach the £1m target it set in 2004 with this year’s Blue Day.

It is currently at £980,000 with the money going towards research into the cancer Tom died from.

Mrs Smith said: ‘It would be amazing if the trust reached its target from Blue Day.

‘It would be a great tribute to the people of Portsmouth to be able to raise that much money.’

For more information on Blue Day or to register visit tomprince.co.ukAll businesses and schools that sign up for Blue Day will feature on the The News Roll of Honour which is listed below as well as online at portsmouth.co.uk