Chelsea captain John Terry paid for the funeral of an eight-year-old fan of the club who died from leukaemia recently, it has been revealed.
Tommi Miller passed away recently, having been diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of three. A bone marrow transplant was attempted last month but it was unsuccessful. A friend of Tommi’s family then contacted the former England captain on the social networking website Instagram to let let him know of the young fans’ passing and to ask if he would like to contribute to the funeral costs.
Terry replied to the message, saying, “Hi. We have made contact with the funeral director today and I will be contacting them personally tomorrow to make the payment for the burial and the cars and flowers for the family. It’s such a sad story. If you speak to the family please pass on my condolences. John”.
Ruth Miller, Tommi’s mother, said that the family were ‘very proud’ that Terry remembered their son after a recent visit to Stamford Bridge. She said, “When we visited the stadium you could tell John Terry was really taken by him and his cheekiness but it was still a shock when we heard. Tommi obviously made a big impression on him and he was one of his favourite players so it’s very special to us”.
She went on to say that she was ‘overwhelmed’ by the gesture and that the plan is to use the money to buy a ‘special headstone’ for Tommi’s grave. The Miller family live in Thorpe Way in Cambridgeshire and Terry told the Cambridge News that he was ‘totally devastated’ to hear of the youngster’s death.
The Chelsea captain, whose contract expires in the summer meaning he is likely to leave the club, called the funeral director to pay the £1600 that the service was going to cost. He said, “I’m sure [Tommi’s] family and friends will give him the send off he deserves”, adding that it was a ‘pleasure’ to meet him.
Tommi’s funeral will take place this Thursday and those attending have been asked to wear shirts from either Chelsea or Cambridge United football clubs.