Bradley Lowery, the six-year-old who touched a nation's heart, dies after long illness

Bradley Lowery, the six-year-old who touched the nation’s heart with his battle against cancer, has died.

In a statement on the family’s Facebook page, Bradley’s mother, Gemma Lowery, said: “My brave boy has went with the angels today 07/07/17 at 13:35, in mammy and daddies arms surrounded by his family.

“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 angel.”

Yesterday the family had said Bradley, who was suffering from the childhood cancer neuroblastoma, was no longer responsive but added: “We know he is listening to everything we say. He is fighting so hard it’s heart breaking for us to watch. ”

The six-year-old Sunderland fan struck up a close friendship with star striker Jermain Defoe after he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma.

Sunderland posted a tribute to Bradley on Twitter shortly after his death was announced.

Bradley and Defoe were pictured snuggled up together at the youngster’s home in Blackhall, County Durham last week after the little boy had a party in bed as a way of saying goodbye.

As Bradley continued to fight for life, Defoe broke down in tears on Thursday at a press conference with his new club, Bournemouth, when he was asked about their special bond.

Bradley was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 18 months old after a tumour was found above his left kidney.

He pulled through despite being resuscitated in hospital several times during treatment which lasted two years.

His parents Gemma and Carl were overjoyed when he got the all-clear but cancer returned and had spread in July 2016.

Read more:

Bradley Lowery cuddles up to Jermain Defoe as Sunderland players pay heartwarming visit

They launched a fundraising campaign for his treatment in the United States which would cost £700,000.

Scans at Christmas 2016 revealed his cancer was terminal.

The small boy, who was a mascot for Sunderland several times last season, found a place in the hearts of thousands of football fans around the world.

In his final months, Bradley struck up a special bond with Sunderland Football Club, Jermain Defoe in particular, but also the wider football community.

Supporters of different clubs made banners and chanted his name at games and he was an England mascot at Wembley when Defoe scored on his return to the Three Lions side.

His family posted a video showing Bradley’s joy when he was told Defoe had been selected.

His family had started to fundraise to get Bradley groundbreaking treatment in the US and Everton FC had pledged a remarkable £200,000 towards the cost.

In November, Bradley said thank you to those fundraising in a heartbreaking video posted on the family’s Facebook page.

Football clubs and supporters were quick to pay tribute to the little boy.

His family will set up a foundation to help other children going through the same ordeal.

In an interview with Tyne Tees TV in February, his mother said: “I feel Bradley has only had a short time on this earth.

“He has done more in his five, six, seven, eight, nine years of life than most people have in 80 or 90 years.

“For him to have touched so many people and leave such a major legacy, that’s going to be a huge comfort going forward for us.”

Neuroblastoma is a rare type of cancer and affected around 100 babies and young children each year.

It is most commonly found in children under the age of five.

It develops from specialised nerve cells (neuroblasts) left behind from a baby’s development in the womb.

It can spread to other organs such as the bone marrow, bone, lymph nodes, liver and skin.

The cause is unknown. Follow this link to find out more about the symptoms of the disease.