Bradley Lowery - the boy who touched the hearts of millions

Despite enduring prolonged treatments, the football mascot had put on the colours of his beloved Sunderland to perform a star turn at the Stadium of Light, delighting the nation as he kicked a ball past Chelsea’s goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

• Brave cancer battler Bradley Lowery has died
• Defoe has lost a true friend in Bradley

Parents Gemma and Carl of Blackhall, County Durham, had learned his cancer was terminal, but were determined to create as many good memories as they could while they still had time with him.

Their son’s sensational goal in the warm-up before the Black Cats game against Chelsea’s goalkeeper last December, famously won him Match of the Day’s Goal of the Month – and was one of many memories his parents will treasure of Bradley’s painful yet fulfilling final months.

After his last brave battle against the disease, followed by well-wishers around the world, the six-year-old passed away peacefully at home with his family.

Born on May 17, 2011 young Bradley’s life began as any other young child. That was until he was diagnosed with the rare form of childhood cancer, neuroblastoma, in January 2013.

His local community started a concerted fundraising campaign for him to get treatment in the US and Bradley later went into remission. But last year the family were devastated to learn the cancer had returned and they began a campaign to raise £700,000 to take him to the US for potentially life-changing treatment.

Bradley’s plight was propelled into the nation consciousness when he appeared as a mascot for Sunderland at their match against Everton at Goodison Park last September. Everton donated £200,000 to his cause following victory over Sunderland and fans from across the leagues followed the club’s lead and pledged donations.

In December Bradley’s family were heartbroken when told the disease was terminal.

A Christmas card campaign started by an Everton fan saw the youngster receive more than 315,000 cards from around the world.

Bradley went on to form a special bond with former Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, and the pair became best friends.

In January Bradley was delighted to lead out the England football team at Wembley alongside Defoe, who scored in the World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.

In a subsequent interview, the England striker revealed he had placed a picture of the youngster on his locker at the Stadium of Light.

“Every time I look at the picture, it’s emotional,” the player said. “I’m trying not to cry.”

Defoe and a group of Sunderland players, including Sebastian Larsson, John O'Shea and Vito Mannone, later stopped by to see him in hospital and offer him a hug. Bradley was pictured falling asleep cuddling Defoe.

On April 8, Bradley was awarded an honorary entry in the country’s biggest horse race, with organisers of the Randox Health Grand National taking the unprecedented step of giving the 41st place on the racecard of the famous steeplechase.

A day after stealing the show at Aintree, and even getting the chance to ride on the shoulders of winning rider Derek Fox, Bradley turned out as mascot for the Black Cats in their game against Manchester United.

It was a weekend tinged with sadness, though, as Bradley’s parents had learned that the treatment he had been receiving was not working.

And it came only days after they had been told their son had been accepted onto a cancer trial at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Meanwhile, Bradley and his family visited Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire, for a short break over the Easter holidays. While there Bradley enjoyed animal encounters with lemurs and meerkats.

When Bradley led out Sunderland in the arms of striker Jermain Defoe for their final home game against Swansea, he was clearly weakened and had his arms were latched behind the neck of his “best friend”.

He was well enough to celebrate his sixth birthday, and on Friday, May 19 his party included fire-eaters, a funfair, marquee, jugglers and stilt-walkers. Defoe and Sunderland keeper Vito Mannone were there to celebrate with him.

Days later Bradley’s family said he did not have long to live after his cancer began to spread "at a very fast rate".

A statement on Facebook said a scan had revealed new tumours and he was now receiving palliative care at home.

They also said they were in the process of setting up the Bradley Lowery Foundation and that all money raised for him would go towards the new charity.

Over the last few weeks, family members have updated their Facebook page as Bradley deteriorated, including touching photographs of a ‘bed party’ with his young cousins, and a final visit from Defoe.