Six-year-old Bradley Lowery, who was a fan of English club, Sunderland, succumbed in his long battle with neuroblastoma today, July 7.
Lowery was diagnosed with the rare form of cancer when he was only 18 months old and became a loved figure following his parents documentation of his battle with it.
He needed a staggering £700,000 for treatment of the cancer, though the amount was raised after overwhelming support from football fans, to including Everton which donated £200,000.
Alas, the ailment, which resurfaced in 2016 after he had gone on remission when he was three years old, had become terminal by the time the money was raised.
‘My brave boy has went with the angels today 07/07/17 at 13:35, in mammy and daddies arms surrounded by his family,’ a statement by his family on Facebook confirmed.
‘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.’
Lowery endeared himself with his adorable spirit and soon became a Sunderland mascot in numerous matches.
He also became best friends with his favourite player in the team, Jermaine Defoe, who visited Lowery several times in the hospital.
The striker also walked out with Lowery as he boy led England out for a World Cup qualifying match against Lithuania in March – Defoe scored in the game.
Defoe had fought back tears on Thursday when asked about Lowery during a press conference for his new club, AFC Bournemouth.
The striker said the boy only had days (to live) but ‘will always be in my heart for the rest of my life.’
He went on to say, ‘It has been hard because I’ve been keeping this in for so long, trying to be strong for my family and his family.
‘I don’t really know how to put into words how I feel. It has been a special time having that relationship with Brad.
‘I speak to the family every day, I was with them a few days ago and it was tough to see him suffer like that.
‘I felt I was prepared for it after what I went through with my dad but it was so tough to see a kid of that age who has been going through this for so long and got to the stage where he is obviously struggling.’
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