Bradley Lowery, the six-year-old Sunderland fan who became a club mascot and inspired a fundraising campaign raising over £1m, has died from neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer. His death was announced on Friday on the family's Facebook page, with his mother Gemma writing that her 'brave boy' and 'little superhero' was with the angels and had died 'in mammy and daddies arms surrounded by his family'.
Bradley captured national attention through his close friendship with Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, who visited him at home last week for a party in bed as a way of saying goodbye. Defoe said in an emotional press conference: 'He will always be in my heart for the rest of my life. 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.'
Bradley served as a mascot for Sunderland several times, with fans chanting his name and holding banners saying 'Cancer has no colours'. He also led England out at Wembley for a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania in March, alongside Defoe and captain Joe Hart, to deafening applause from 78,000 fans. 'I have had such an amazing day and I will never forget Jermain because I love him so much,' he said afterwards.
His fundraising efforts, which included large donations from Premier League clubs, aimed to fund pioneering treatment in the US, but scans later revealed the cancer was terminal. Despite this, money continued to be raised, totalling over £1m. His mother said in an interview: '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.'
Tributes poured in from across the football community. Sunderland said 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.' 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.' Former England striker Gary Lineker called him 'a warrior and an inspiration to the end'.
