CANCER MASCOT: I PRAY FOR JOHN; Boy Hartson helped gives support.

Byline: MAGGIE BARRY

A SCHOOLBOY who beat cancer with the help of John Hartson is now praying the football hero wins his own fight for life.

Fan Cai Davies was 10 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour which left him partially blind.

But ex-Celtic idol Hartson, now critically ill, heard about the boy's plight and stepped in to inspire him back to health. Cai was chosen as mascot for the Welsh side and the striker held his hand to lead him on to the pitch at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Hartson never forgot Cai and kept in touch with his parents as their son went through chemotherapy.

Four years on, the tables have turned and it is Cai who is checking on his hero after the ex-player was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which spread to his brain and lungs.

Cai, 14, said: "John is great and I hope and pray he makes a recovery."

Mum Nia Davies, 38, added: "It was a great shock to Cai and my entire family when we heard about John.

"He is a hero not just to Cai but to all of us. One of our most treasured possessions is the photograph of

John leading Cai out on to the pitch at the Millennium Stadium."

Hartson spent time with him on the eve of a 2005 World Cup qualifier against Austria before guiding him out in front of 47,000 fans.

Nia, of Powys, South Wales, said of Swansea-born Hartson: "He's always gone out of his way to help Cai. We just hope he comes through this."

CAPTION(S):

MY HERO Striker with Cai for World Cup match