LONDON (AP) – Chelsea captain John Terry will pay for the funeral of an 8-year-old fan who died of leukemia last month.
The former England captain and other Chelsea players met Tommi Miller at Stamford Bridge following a game last year. Terry, who is currently injured, told local media he was “devastated” to hear of Tommi’s death, and wants the child to get “the send-off he deserves.”
“I’m overwhelmed really,” said Tommi’s mother, Ruth, “because Tommi was such a great fan of John Terry in particular.”
A friend of the Millers, who live in Cambridge, contacted Terry over social media to ask if he would like to contribute to the costs, the BBC reported Tuesday. Terry responded and when he was told it would cost 1,600 pounds ($2,280), he checked with the funeral director to make sure it was a legitimate request and agreed to make the payment that will cover the burial, cars and flowers.
The funeral will take place on Thursday. A hundred blue balloons will be released into the sky during the service, and those attending will wear either Chelsea or Cambridge United jerseys.