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Everton donation helps five-year-old Sunderland fan reach £700,000 cancer treatment goal

The Toffees donated £200,000 after their 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light

Jack Austin
Wednesday 14 September 2016 14:11 BST
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Bradley Lowery met Vito Mannone after leading the players out
Bradley Lowery met Vito Mannone after leading the players out (Getty Images)

Sunderland-loving Bradley Lowery has achieved his goal of raising £700,000 for his cancer treatment after a boost from rivals Everton.

Five-year-old Bradley led the Black Cats out alongside his hero Jermain Defoe on Monday night as Everton marched out 3-0 winners at the Stadium of Light.

Bradley received a round of applause from the crowd in the fifth minute, with both sets of fans uniting in singing ‘there’s only one Bradley Lowery’ and passing around a banner bearing a support message.

Following the game, Everton pledged to donate £200,000 to the fundraising campaign and following the publicity Monday night’s game gave to Bradley, he has now reached his target.

Bradley Lowery led Sunderland out before the Everton game (Getty Images)

Bradley suffers from a rare type of cancer called neuroblastoma and the treatment he requires is only available in the United States and at a cost of £700,000.

“I can’t believe it,” said his mother, Gemma.

“He got out of hospital on Thursday and was back in Friday for scans and platelets.

“He was back in on Monday for more platelets but we got him out in time for the match.

Bradley Lowery led the teams out before the game (Getty Images)

“He’s been really unwell over the weekend - very, very sickly and sleeping a lot.

“Yet he was just running on adrenaline and was amazing on Monday night. He absolutely loved it.”

Everton also said they would auction off the shirts worn on during Monday’s victory with the donations going to Bradley’s Fight and have invited Bradley to Goodison Park for the return fixture later in the season.

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