MSP Capital surprise two deserving fans

Ben and Coby were nominated by their family as part of MSP Capital’s Christmas competition and were recognised for their inspiring stories.

MSP Capital invited the duo to Vitality Stadium for a behind-the-scenes tour before they were surprised by Cherries players Dominic Solanke and Mark Travers, who gifted them a stocking full of incredible gifts.

The gifts included a signed training top, items from the club shop as well as a bundle from club partners Umbro.

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WATCH: Solanke and Travers surprise Cherries fans

A lifelong Cherries fan, Ben was nominated by his sister, Charlotte, having shown an incredible attitude in his battle with Crohn’s Disease.

He’ll spend his third successive Christmas in hospital, where he’s spent large portions of 2022, but Charlotte noted that he ‘keeps himself positive, even when things seem to keep going wrong’ and is ‘one of the strongest people’ she knows.

Whereas, Coby was nominated by his dad, Matt, for the maturity and care he’s shown throughout the year.

Coby’s brother lives with physical and learning disabilities and requires a lot of one-to-one care but Matt has described Coby as an ‘extremely empathetic and supportive brother’ and said he’s a ‘lovely young man and loving brother’ who deserved a festive treat.

The Cherries players spent over 20 minutes speaking to Ben and Coby, as well as their families, and posed for a number of photos.

Solanke revealed he enjoyed the experience, telling afcb.co.uk: “It was a really good afternoon, it’s so nice to give big fans an experience like that.

“It was a competition run by MSP Capital and they deserved to win it and we were so happy to get to meet them as well.”

Travers expanded: “They’re massive inspirations! What they’ve gone through and what they continue to go through, it was great to hear their stories and it is really nice to do these things.”

Rachel Bartlett, who was representing MSP Capital at the event, said: “We’re really happy to have been a part of this afternoon.

“We work really hard with AFC Bournemouth to highlight some of the great things that their fans have achieved throughout the year but also some of the hardships they’ve been through.

“The nominations we received were so lovely and it was really humbling to read and really fantastic to see the breadth of things what went on in the community, but we couldn’t resist choosing Coby and Ben and they were just lovely.”