WITH THE ANGELS...
Boy who touched the heart of the world dies
HE stole the heart of the nation with his cheeky smile and innocence.
But now little Bradley Lowery has closed his eyes for the last time after losing his battle to cancer.
Tears flowed as the devastating news emerged that six-year-old Bradley received his angel wings.
The little battler captured the heart of best friend, former Sunderland footballer Jermain Defoe.
Their friendship grew ever close in the youngster’s final few months and even after the striker moved to Bournemouth last month.
Football-mad Bradley touched on millions of emotions when he struck up the relationship with his idol.
The inspirational schoolboy became a regular Sunderland mascot and when he proudly held onto Jermain’s hand before the World Cup qualifier at Wembley, the Three Lions fans gave a rousing reception as they witnessed their unique bond.
It was there he melted more hearts when he was spotted covering his ears as the cheer of the supporters proved too deafening for the little lad. But Jermain’s biggest fan was elated when he scored.
The pair became inseparable – with the striker going to his sixth birthday party, visiting him in hospital and keeping his spirits high when he was poorly.
And when Bradley was caught on camera falling asleep on his hero, those heart-strings were tugged again.
Bradley passed away on Friday, July 7, surrounded by his family at his home in Blackhall Colliery, County Durham. A post on his Facebook page at 3.45pm said: “My brave boy has went with the angels today 07/07/17 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 else where. “There are no words to describe how heart broken we are. Thank you everyone for all your support and kind words. Sleep tight baby boy and fly high with them angels.” Tragedy first hit Bradley at the age of 18 months when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma – a rare cancer that affects babies – after a tumour was found above his left kidney and it quickly spread. Given a 50-50 chance of survival, hospital staff nicknamed him “Resus Brad” after the many times they had to call the resuscitation trolley to his room to bring him round. Battling Bradley beat the disease once but after some time in remission it came back in July 2016. His family desperately raised money for treatment in the US but doctors delivered the heart-breaking news that the little boy’s cancer had become terminal and the treatment would only prolong his life – or even kill him. In May Bradley celebrated his sixth birthday with a “fairy ground dreamland” party attended by 250 guests including Jermain and Sunderland goalie Vito Mannone.
But the day after his party doctors confirmed a new tumour had been found in his neck. Only days earlier Jermain was once again by his mini pal’s side at the Pride of the North East Awards as he watched him pick up his prize. There the 34-year-old footballer told the audience: “I will remember what we have for the rest of my life. From the moment we met there has been a bond between us which is there for all to see.”
Bradley’s condition was quickly deteriorating and his dream trip to Disneyland was postponed when he got too ill to travel.
But his mum and dad, Gemma and Carl, remained a tower of strength throughout their son’s illness as he gradually got sicker. And even when he was brought home to receive palliative care, Gemma managed to share the extent of his illness with his thousands of followers on Facebook. She said: “Bradley’s cancer is spreading at a very fast rate and he has now got lots of new tumours including in his lungs. The lump that was causing pain was originally thought to be an abscess has got bigger and they now believe it’s a tumour. We are heartbroken this is happening so fast.”
As Bradley clung onto life, in a moment of heartbreaking honesty, Gemma told her son’s thousands of wellwishers that she didn’t know how long her son had left. But she told how his legacy will live on through the Bradley Lowery Foundation, initially set up to raise money for his treatment. Now the huge sums raised will help support others going through the same ordeal.
At Bradley’s birthday party she said: “We are from a little village, a normal family, and all of a sudden the whole world knows about him.
“It’s nice because he’s going to leave a legacy, he’s going to leave an impression on the world. I’m extremely proud.”