SIX-YEAR-OLD Bradley Lowery, known for being an avid fan of Sunderland football club, has died following a battle with cancer.
Bradley, from Durham, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 18 months old.
He became the team’s mascot earlier this year. He also led the England team onto the pitch for their World Cup qualifier against Lithuania in March.
He was recently named Child of Courage at the Pride of North East Awards.
Bradley’s death was confirmed on social media by his parents:
“My brave boy has went with the angels today at 13.35, in mammy and daddies arms surrounded by his family.
He was our little superhero and put the biggest fight up but he was needed elsewhere.
There are no words to describe how heartbroken we are.
https://www.facebook.com/BradleyLowerysFightAgainstNeuroblastoma/posts/1264058613717257
They thanked everyone for the support the family have received throughout Bradley’s illness.
They added: “Sleep tight baby boy and fly high with them angels.”
He had been receiving palliative care at home for the past number of months.
Over £700,000 was raised in 2016 to send Bradley to New York for specialist treatment. However doctors found his cancer had spread and that his illness was terminal.
Last Saturday, Bradley’s family posted a picture of Bradley with former Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, who came to visit him.
Yesterday, Defoe, who now plays with Bournemouth, broke down at a press conference, as he said his “best friend” Bradley had only a matter of days to live.
“I speak to the family every day. I was with him a few days ago and it was tough to see him suffer like that. He’s obviously struggling. I can say it’s a matter of days,” Defoe said.
He will always be in my heart for the rest of my life.
“There isn’t a day that goes past when I don’t wake up and check my phone or think about little Bradley.”
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