THE mother of a teenager whose memorial bench was torched by sick arsonists has spoken of how her faith has been restored.

Clare Delvard was close to tears when she learned that Bolton News reader Blake Lord had donated a £200 bench to replace the one destroyed at Eagley Sports Complex.

“I’m blown away. Blake didn’t know me or my family yet he’s done such a generous thing for us. It’s restored my faith,” said Mrs Delvard.

The original bench was a memorial to her beloved son, Daniel, who died from a brain tumour aged 13 in 1997.

“The club was such a happy place for Daniel and when I found out about what had happened to the bench, I felt like I’d been punched in the stomach,” Mrs Delvard said.

“I was devastated because the bench had been there for all these years without a problem.”

The arsonists struck at the Blackburn Road complex last month. They dragged the bench 100 metres to the back of the changing rooms and set it alight.

Explaining why he decided to replace it, Mr Lord, 38, said: “When I read the story in The Bolton News it really touched me. The family had already been through so much and I just wanted to do something to help.”

Daniel was a pupil at Sharples High School and was a popular and talented student.

His mum said: “He was a bright lad and keen sportsman who loved life and who had ambitions to do great things. He was captain of the school cricket team.

“He was an amazing kid and I was so proud of him.”

A CT scan on Christmas Eve 1996 revealed Daniel had a brain tumour, and a follow-up MRI scan on New Year’s Eve revealed it was inoperable.

Daniel died in April 1997.

Colin Whaley, spokesman for Eagley Sports Complex, said: “When Blake got in touch I couldn’t believe it. We didn’t for one minute expect someone to offer us another bench!

“When I spoke to Blake it was clear he was a kind, local man who just wanted to help Daniel’s family and ourselves by making a replacement bench in his memory. We can’t thank him enough, and he’ll always be welcome down at the club.”