David Beckham calls dying Canadian fan

By Steve Keating

TORONTO, Jan 31 (Reuters Life!) - While the soccer world buzzed over David Beckham's $250 million signing with the Los Angeles Galaxy, the former England captain quietly stepped away from the frenzy to call a young Canadian dying of cancer.

Beckham, who has three young sons, stunned the Johnstone family of Hamilton, Ontario who picked up the phone on January 17 to hear a stranger asking to talk to their 19-year-old daughter Rebecca, a soccer player and huge Beckham fan.

Johnstone's mother, Brenda, told local newspaper the Hamilton Spectator that she informed the caller that her daughter was going through a particularly difficult time after battling cancer for three years and was sleeping.

But when the stranger, who offered to call back at a better time, revealed his identity as the world famous soccer player she rushed to wake up her daughter who badly needed a boost.

The two chatted away, according to the Spectator, with their conversation ending with Johnstone wishing the Real Madrid midfielder good luck this season.

A few days after their talk, Johnstone received an autographed Real Madrid jersey and an offer to reach out to him if ever she needed anything.

Johnstone died on Monday, January 29.

The Johnstone family told the Spectator that news of their daughter's death had reached Beckham, who passed along his regrets.

"His thoughts are with the family at this time," Beckham's spokesperson Simon Oliveira told the Spectator.

Beckham's gesture and Johnstone's brave struggle triggered an outpouring of support across hockey-mad Canada where news of her death made the front of page of sports sections and was reported on radio and television.



SOURCE

Last edited by denys envy on Jan-31-2007 at 22:07

are you kidding? like is this guy serious? beckham musta spend loads and loads of money on that spice girl bc hes doing everything for publicity now....I mean isnt it ironic that hes comin to the states ....calling dying canadian fans? whats next a photo shoot with tiesto in disneyland?

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"When I die, make sure I'm buried under the dancefloor"

Dancers are the athletes of God - A. Einstein

For publicity or not, let's not tarnish his good gesture.

quote:

Originally posted by Scottaculous For publicity or not, let's not tarnish his good gesture.

no i know it was a nice thing to do no doubt

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"When I die, make sure I'm buried under the dancefloor"

Dancers are the athletes of God - A. Einstein

Wow.. how touching

Steeltown ain't that big, let's as Magnetonium for the real scoop.

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Светопресавление
your pearl casting hero

Yeah, that was nice of him. For real.

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insignificant cor member alliance

quote:

Originally posted by Cloudburst Yeah, that was nice of him. For real.

i agree...it's not like hes out there scoring goals anyways...might as well do some phone calls.

Hmm, that was nice!

whatever u think of him as a player, as a person & more importantly as a father he's a good guy. He does everything for his kids & really loves them (his parents were always good for him & I think thats rubbed down a generation too) so I'm not surprised at all.

quote:

Originally posted by Ian whatever u think of him as a player, as a person & more importantly as a father he's a good guy. He does everything for his kids & really loves them (his parents were always good for him & I think thats rubbed down a generation too) so I'm not surprised at all.

ian's just full of love at the moment coz the pom's managed to win their first game of cricket this season. albeit in a practice game against sydney's U12 girl's paraplegic team

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