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Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery dies aged six after cancer fight Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery dies aged six after cancer fight
(about 1 hour later)
Bradley Lowery, the Sunderland football mascot whose battle with a rare cancer helped raise more than £1m to help others, has died, his family said. Bradley Lowery, the Sunderland football club mascot whose battle with a rare cancer helped raise more than £1m, has died.
The six-year-old Sunderland fan came to public attention after he struck up a friendship with the club’s star striker Jermain Defoe following his diagnosis with neuroblastoma. The six-year-old Sunderland fan touched hundreds of thousands of hearts when he struck up a close friendship with the team’s striker Jermain Defoe after he had been diagnosed with neuroblastoma.
In a statement on the family’s Facebook page, Bradley’s mother, Gemma Lowery, said he died on Friday afternoon in his parents’ arms. “He was our little superhero and put the biggest fight up but he was needed elsewhere,” she wrote. “There are no words to describe how heartbroken we are.” His death on Friday was announced on the family’s Facebook page. His mother, Gemma, wrote that her “brave boy” and “little superhero” was with the angels, and had died “in mammy and daddies arms surrounded by his family”.
Bradley and Defoe were pictured together at the boy’s home in Blackhall, County Durham, last week after the little boy had a party in bed as a way of saying goodbye. “There are no words to describe how heartbroken we are,” she added.
As Bradley continued to fight for life, Defoe broke down in tears on Thursday at a press conference with his new club, Bournemouth, when he was asked about their special bond. Bradley and Defoe were pictured snuggled up together at the family’s home in Blackhall, county Durham last week after he had a party in bed as a way of saying goodbye.
The Premier League star said: “There is not a day that goes past where I do not wake up in the morning and check my phone or think about little Bradley because his love is genuine and I can see it in his eyes. It is special.” In an emotional press conference in Bradley’s final days, Defoe said: “He will always be in my heart for the rest of my life.
Bradley was a mascot for Sunderland several times last season and found a place in the hearts of thousands of football fans around the world. Supporters of different clubs made banners and chanted his name at games. “There is not a day that goes past where I do not wake up in the morning and check my phone or think about little Bradley because his love is genuine and I can see it in his eyes. It is special.”
He was an England mascot at a World Cup qualifier at Wembley when Defoe scored on his return to the Three Lions side. And Defoe was guest of honour at a huge party thrown for Bradley’s sixth birthday in May. Bradley was a mascot for Sunderland several times. Fans chanted his name at games and held banners saying: “Cancer has no colours.”
Supporters had hoped a massive fundraising effort last year could get him to the US for pioneering treatment, but his heartbroken family announced at Christmas that his cancer was terminal. When a request was made by Bradley’s mother and father to send him Christmas cards, it was answered by 250,000 people.
They kept his many well-wishers around the world up to date by using social media and in his final days, Gemma revealed that Bradley’s health was deteriorating quickly. The Football Association invited him to be a mascot for England’s World Cup qualifier at Wembley against Lithuania on 26 March and when Defoe was called up to the squad, Bradley was there to see him score.
Sunderland led the tributes to Bradley, describing him as “an inspiration”. Captain Joe Hart let Bradley and Defoe lead the team out onto the pitch to deafening applause from the crowd of 78,000 people, leading Bradley to cover his ears. “I have had such an amazing day and I will never forget Jermain because I love him so much,” the young boy said afterwards.
The club said it extended its love to his parents Gemma and Carl and his brother Kieran. Less than 24 hours later, he was back in hospital for more treatment to extend his life.
A statement said: “Bradley captured the hearts and minds of everyone at our club with his indomitable spirit, tremendous courage and beautiful smile, which could light up even the darkest of rooms. He celebrated his sixth birthday in May with a huge party on the local cricket pitch with a funfair and fire eaters.
“He was truly an inspiration.” His beloved Sunderland led tributes, saying in a statement: “Bradley captured the hearts and minds of everyone at our club with his indomitable spirit, tremendous courage and beautiful smile, which could light up even the darkest of rooms.”
It added: “Bradley’s story not only touched our club and our fans, but also the wider football community.”
Bradley’s family had close ties with Everton, and he went on to be a mascot to the Merseyside club too. The Everton chairman, Bill Kenwright, said: “We are so privileged to have known him ... and will always be proud that he chose us as his second club.”
Bury FC, who are playing against Sunderland in a friendly on Friday night, said there would be a minute’s applause for the youngster ahead of kick-off.
Former England striker Gary Lineker, who hosted the Sports Personality of the Year awards at which Bradley was a special guest last year, said: “Terribly sad to hear that little Bradley Lowery has passed away. A warrior and an inspiration to the end. RIP Bradley.”
Liverpool FC tweeted: “Bradley was an inspiration to everyone.”
The adventures of Bradley, who has a brother, Kieran, raised public awareness of the cancer. He was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 18 months old, but pulled through despite being resuscitated in hospital several times and was then given the all clear. But the cancer returned in July 2016.
Supporters had hoped a huge fundraising effort last year would get him to the US for pioneering treatment, but scans revealed the cancer was terminal. Money continued to be raised, including a number of large donations from Premier League football clubs, adding up to more than £1m.
In an interview with Tyne Tees TV in February, his mother said: “I feel Bradley has only had a short time on this Earth. He has done more in his five, six, seven, eight, nine years of life than most people have in 80 or 90 years.
“For him to have touched so many people and leave such a major legacy, that’s going to be a huge comfort going forward for us.”