Bradley Lowery’s story is one that has brought football fans together.
The terminally ill five-year-old came to the nation’s attention when he led out his team Sunderland as a mascot against Chelsea in December and fans chanted ‘there’s only one Bradley Lowery’. He was also awarded Sunderland’s goal of the month award for December.
Everton then extended him an invite to be a mascot for their game against Manchester City and the Merseyside club donated £200,000 to help Bradley get life-prolonging treatment in the US.
His story also moved Newcastle fans to pay their own special tribute to the boy from Blackhall Colliery, near Hartlepool.
Magnificent applause around St. James’ Park for Bradley Lowery #OneBradleyLowery #NUFC 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/qakpMCzzwd
— ITV News Tyne Tees (@itvtynetees) December 10, 2016
Yesterday Bradley got to meet his heroes again as members of the Sunderland squad visited him as he received treatment in hospital.
The young fan, who has been battling a rare form of cancer called neuroblastoma since 2013, was able to spend time with his favourite player, Jermain Defoe.
His family tweeted this heart-melting picture Bradley after he fell asleep on the Sunderland forward.
Bradley loves @IAmJermainDefoe he didn't want him to leave today and fell asleep cuddling into him #specialbond #bestfriends pic.twitter.com/sn2symKhdv
— Bradley Lowery Foundation (@Bradleysfight) February 9, 2017
Defoe then responded to the tweet saying ‘love you little man’ with a heart.
Love you little man ❤ #bestfriends https://t.co/hw1YtwQjZ2
— Jermain Defoe OBE (@IAmJermainDefoe) February 9, 2017
Sunderland keeper Vito Mannone also shared this message for Bradley and his family after the visit.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQTMhkXAJDY/
Judging from the reaction Bradley had, the visit made his day.
