Five years ago today, people across the North East were mourning the loss of a special little boy.
Bradley Lowery had stolen their hearts with his cheeky smile and his immense bravery. The six-year-old Sunderland fan, from Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, had been battling a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma.
Local communities had come together to raise as much money as they could for Bradley and his hero - former England and Sunderland striker Jermaine Defoe - had been by his side every step of the way.
Read more: 'I couldn't have wished for anyone better' Heartbroken fiancée of football scout pays tribute to him
When it was announced, by his parents Gemma and Carl Lowery, on July 7, 2017 that he had sadly lost his fight with the disease there was a huge outpour of grief from across the country.
Special memorial events were held in his memory and heartbroken supporters left tributes, including bouquets of flowers, football shirts and balloons, on the gates outside the Stadium of Light.
Five years on, it would be difficult to find anybody who did not know of Bradley. He is still remembered fondly by those who did and didn't get the chance to meet him.
The youngster has also left a huge legacy behind in the form of the Bradley Lowery Foundation. Since it was founded by Gemma in August 2017, the charity has raised £6,893,665.49 and has helped hundreds of families.
It has supported families who are fundraising for treatment or equipment, which is not readily available on the NHS, and funded funded vital early childhood cancer research. The foundation has also been part of a campaign to get the antibody Dinutuximab Beta available on the NHS.
At the moment, it is in the process of building a five bedroom luxury holiday home in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, called 'Super Brad's Pad'. The facility, which is costing around £800,000 to build, will help families to make memories together.
Lynn Murphy, chief operating officer of the Bradley Lowery Foundation, said: "Bradley did what a lot of people couldn’t do, he got people talking about childhood cancer. It’s a subject no one likes to talk about, but Bradley’s journey proved to the world, that no matter what the diagnosis, it would not define him.
"He went through years of gruelling treatments and did it all with a huge smile on his face; he inspired the world with his positive attitude and with his legacy, we are now able to help other families just like his."
Bradley was first diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when he was 18 months old in 2013. The rare cancer affects the nervous system and mostly affects babies and young children.
Gemma and Carl began fundraising for him to have pioneering treatment in the USA, which was not available in the UK. Bradley fought against the illness for two years and was given the all clear in December 2015.
Sadly a tumour appeared under the schoolboy’s lung and it was revealed in December 2016 that, despite every effort possible, Bradley’s condition was terminal.
Jermain Defoe
Around this time, Bradley became a mascot at Sunderland and struck up a firm friendship with Jermain Defoe. The pair walked out hand-in-hand together while representing the Black Cats and they also teamed up at Wembley during an England game. The footballer developed a bond with Bradley and he visited him in hospital on several occasions.
Bradley's journey was followed online by hundreds of thousands of people as he battled the cruel cancer. People loved seeing pictures of him making memories with his family at places such as Disneyland. Football fans, including rivals such as Sunderland and Newcastle, also came together to support Bradley.
In April 2017, Bradley headed to the Grand National with his parents after being awarded with an honorary 41st place on the race card. Three months later, there were scenes of devastation when the news broke that Bradley has passed away.
His family made an announcement on social media, telling people that he passed away in their arms surrounded by family. They said: "There are no words to describe how heart broken we are."
Tributes immediately poured in from football clubs across the country as well as current and former footballers and MPs. There was also a rousing minute of applause in memory of Bradley during a pre-season game between Bury and Sunderland.
Defoe posted an emotional tribute to Bradley saying he will always carry him in his heart In the tribute, he said: "Your courage and bravery will continue to inspire me for the rest of my life."
Bradley's funeral
Seven days later, on July 14, 2017, Bradley was laid to rest. Thousands of people lined the streets of Blackhall Colliery and the packed village came to a standstill as mourners gathered to pay their respects.
Bradley's funeral service was held at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, the place where he was christened just six years earlier. Avengers superhero characters walked ahead of a white horse drawn hearse with white horses decorated with the SAFC crest. Crowds burst into applause and released blue balloons as his as the coffin passed with Bradley’s name written in white flowers with dashes of red.
Gemma, Carl and Bradley’s brother Keiran walked arm in arm dressed in matching Sunderland shirts with ‘Lowery 6’ on the back. Defoe flew back from training in Marbella, where he was training with his new club AFC Bournemouth, to attend the funeral. He wore an England shirt with Bradley’s name on the back and the number 6.
Class mates, parents and teachers at Blackhill Colliery Primary School in his hometown released balloons in his memory. The rest of the North East also paid their respects.
Bus drivers, journalists, hospital staff and school pupils all pulled on football shirts to remember the little lad. In Newcastle, mourners wiped away tears as they gathered at Monument and the Millennium Bridge over the River Tyne was turned blue for Bradley.
Bradley Lowery Foundation
During Bradley's brave battle, thousands of people donated to the fundraising campaign. The family raised more than £1.3m and vital awareness of Neuroblastoma and childhood cancer. The donations by well-wishers provided the funding base for the Bradley Lowery Foundation.
Gemma and Carl were determined that their son's short life would make a difference to others who are suffering. The following month, Bradley's charity was set up in his hometown of Blackhall Colliery.
In 2021, a street in the town was also named after him. Bradley Lowery Way leading to Sunshine Place was made part of the new Hardwicke Place development, close to his family home.
The Bradley Lowery Foundation now has a team of seven people and hundreds of volunteers. It has multiple community fundraising events throughout the year and takes part in many organised events such as the Great North Run.
Defoe, who has got a tattoo on his arm to honour of Bradley, is a patron of the foundation alongside businesswoman Sara Davies and Olympic gymnast Amy Tinkler.
The charity has helped families with accessing treatment abroad, purchasing vital equipment and having their homes adapted for children with disabilities. It has also offered advice and support to newly diagnosed families.
Up until now, the foundation has put more than £300,000 into different childhood cancer research programmes, funding research into Neuroblastoma, Ewing Sarcoma and DIPG.
Bradley's holiday home, which was estimated to cost £600,000, is currently being built in Scarborough. Although delays due to the coronavirus pandemic mean the cost has increased by around £200,000, the foundation confident that the build should begin soon.
On July 7, 2022, Bradley's legacy continues to shine. Everyday he is helping children and their families during the most difficult times of their lives. Bradley truly is a North East hero and he'll never be forgotten.
Read more:
