Bradley Lowery has touched the hearts of the nation. Thousands of people have pledged their support to the poorly six-year-old and, as he nears the end of his life, are continuing to send their love to him and his family.
Social media users are flooding sites such as Facebook and Twitter with blue heart emojis – a simple but powerful means of showing the Lowerys that they are in many people’s thoughts – and Bradley is in their hearts.
Yesterday, the lad’s family have delivered agonising news on the brave six-year-old’s condition, determined to keep the thousands of people across the country who have supported them updated on his condition.
Posting to Facebook, they said tonight: “Bradley has had a settled day, he is no longer responsive but we know he is listening to everything we say.
“He is fighting so hard. it’s heartbreaking for us to watch.
“When the time comes there will be an update on his page first before anywhere else.
“Thank you for all your kind words and support.”
Earlier today, footballer Jermain Defoe broke down in tears during a press conference, as he paid tribute to Bradley.
The Premier League star became best friends with the six-year-old lad when walked out as a mascot with his hero before a Sunderland game.
The pair have been in regular contact, and at the weekend Jermain visited the poorly boy’s bedside.
Jermain was being interviewed about his move to Bournemouth when he was asked about his pal.
The footballer requested two minutes to compose himself.
He then said: “It’s been hard because I have kept this in for so long.
“I speak to the family every day. I was with him a few days ago and it was tough to see him suffer like that.
“He’s obviously struggling. I can say it’s a matter of days.
“He will always be in my heart for the rest of my life. There isn’t a day that goes past when I don’t wake up and check my phone or think about little Bradley.
“His love is genuine and I can see it in his eyes when he looks at me.”
Tragically Bradley is very near to the end of his short but precious life, and yesterday his parents took the trouble to keep people who have shown the family support updated on his condition.
They shared a heartbreaking statement on his Facebook page, via close family friend Lynn.
“Update on Brad,” it reads. “Bradley is still fighting to stay with us. Nobody knows where he is getting the strength from or how he is doing it.
“He has been very close to going with the angels but he pulls himself out of it.
“It is a hard time for us watching for our baby to take his last breath.
“He started with fighting and he is ending with fighting.”
They ended the message with the hashtags #nationshero and #ourlittlefighter
At the weekend Bradley’s incredible family shared an update on their brave boy as he said his goodbye to his friends.
They explained: “Update on brad is… he is very weak and finding breathing difficult but he is fighting it.
“He insisted on having a party and he invited his cousins and girlfriend Poppy yesterday. They all laid on the bed having cuddles, I think it was his way of saying his goodbyes.
Jermain and his best little buddy Bradley (Credit: Facebook)
“Late last night his best friend Jermain came to visit him and it was so heartwarming seeing how Bradley reacted. He was so happy and laid for ages getting cuddles. Bradley was really relaxed with him.
“Thank you again for your support, although we are getting a lot of messages and comments, we are going to get through them all eventually, as your words do really mean a lot to us all x x”
The family also posted pictures of Bradley’s party, as he shared cuddles with his young friends, as well as footballer Jermain.
Bradley wanted to say his goodbyes (Credit: Facebook)
Yesterday, Bradley’s mum Gemma wrote: “Bradley is very weak now but is still fighting on in true Bradley style. He will only go when he decides. Xxx”
This week, the family revealed that Bradley – who has been battling neuroblastoma since he was 18 months old – was deteriorating fast.
A Facebook post, thought to have been sent from his Gemma, read: “Bradley is deteriorating fast, his temperature is going very high his breathing very fast his oxygen levels low.
“He is sleeping most the time apart from odd times awake.
“We knew this was coming but we are heartbroken beyond words.
Bradley has become a national treasure (Credit: Wenn)
“We have been told he could be like this for days it just depends on him and his body.”
This follows an earlier post on the six-year-old’s Facebook page.
“Bradley has not been well the last few days, he has struggled to keep any food, medicine or fluid down which has resulted in him been in a lot of pain.
“The nurse has been out today and she has put a pump on that gives him anti sickness and a pump on that gives him morphine to help him feel better.
“I’m hoping he feels a little better once that’s in his system.
“Thank you for your continued support.”
Earlier this month, Bradley’s family revealed he was “super excited” to be heading to Scarborough on holiday.
This trip to the seaside was an opportunity to make memories with his loved ones in the final few weeks of his young life.
The family has been forced to cancel holidays in the past because of Bradley’s illness.
Mum Gemma again shared news of their seaside break on her youngest son’s Facebook page, Bradley Lowery’s fight against neuroblastoma.
“Well after booking up and having to cancel several holidays the day has come where we are going away to Scarborough for a break,” she wrote.
“Bradley is super excited and is feeling good in himself when he is awake.
“We not sure if we will get to stop the full week yet but we will just take each day as it comes.”
The post was signed it off with the hash tags #makingmemories #bradley’smile #alwaysbegrateful
At the start of June, it was revealed that Bradley’s tumours had grown “really fast”.
Gemma has previously said of the diagnosis: “Nobody expects it. Our whole world was turned upside down, it was heartbreaking.
“Our normal changed to a different normal, to dealing with a very poorly child who was fighting for his life.”
Last month the family announced that Bradley didn’t have long left to live.
Bradley with his incredible parents (Credit: Wenn)
A statement said: “He is going for radio therapy at the end of this week and next week but this is to control the pain in the hope we get him comfortable.
“Lots of people keep asking how long has he got to live? I can’t answer this as we don’t know all we know is it’s not long.”
Bradley has formed an incredible friendship with England and Everton football player Jermain Defoe.
They first met last September when Sunderland superfan Bradley was mascot at a match at home between them and Everton.
Jermain and Bradley have become firm buddies (Credit: ITV)
The little lad told the Sunderland Echo afterwards: “This has been amazing. I got to meet Jermain Defoe, who’s my favourite, and everyone said my name.”
The footballer has kept in touch with Bradley since and recently appeared on Lorraine to talk about their special bond.