JERMAIN DEFOE LEFT Bournemouth’s pre-season training camp in Spain in order to attend today’s funeral of Bradley Lowery, who passed away last Friday following a battle with cancer.
Mourners lined the streets from the six-year-old’s home in Durham before a service was held in St Joseph’s Church in the village of Blackhall Colliery.
The funeral service was broadcast to a crowd outside who could not get a seat inside the packed church.
Bradley, known for his affinity with Sunderland, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at just 18 months old and won the hearts of many with his fighting spirit.
He received care at his home in his final months before passing away last Friday evening surrounded by friends and family.
Bourmemouth striker Defoe built a long-standing friendship with the six-year-old, with Bradley acting as mascot for both Sunderland and England.
The player broke down in a press conference last week when he was unveiled at his new club, explaining just how hard it had been to see Bradley deteriorate.
“It has been difficult,” Defoe said.
“It’s been hard because I’ve been keeping this in for so long trying to be strong for my family and his family.
“I don’t really know how to put into words how I feel. It has been a special time having that relationship with Brad.
“I speak to the family every day, I was with them a few days ago and it was tough to see him suffer like that.
“I felt I was prepared for it after what I went through with my dad, but it was so tough to see a kid of that age who has been going through this for so long and got to the stage where he is obviously struggling.
“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.”
Mourners wore ‘Bradley 6′ Sunderland jerseys at the request of his family, while red and white balloons as well as posters lined the procession in Durham.
Tributes were also left outside the Stadium of Light while balloons were also released at Sunderland’s ground earlier today, with former manager David Moyes and Irish international John O’Shea also in attendance at the funeral service.
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