The family of Michael Jones paid respect to Bradley Lowery on a weekend where the birthdays of both were marked at Everton
Bradley Lowery and mum Gemma at his 6th birthday party at Welfare Park, Blackhall on May 19, 2017. Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Bradley Lowery and mum Gemma at his 6th birthday party at Welfare Park, Blackhall on May 19, 2017. Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
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The mum of Bradley Lowery was overwhelmed by the tributes paid to her brave son at Everton - which included a poignant gesture from the family of Michael Jones.
Loved ones of both Bradley and Michael were present for the Blues’ match with Sunderland on Sunday as they marked their respective birthdays. There were rounds of applause during the game for Bradley, who would have turned 15 on the day of the game and Michael, who would have been 29 the day before.
Ahead of the Premier League match, Gemma Lowery was clearly touched when she learned Michael’s family had paid their respects to Bradley at Michael’s memorial atHill Dickinson Stadium, leaving a bouquet of red and white flowers dedicated to the Sunderland supporter.
Gemma said: “There have been a lot of beautiful tributes and it is absolutely amazing that that family can think about Bradley in their own heartache. I'd just really like to say thank you so much for thinking of Bradley, the flowers were stunning, beautiful.”
It was one of countless displays of unity from the world of football inspired by Bradley, who became a symbol of inspiration as he fought neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer.
Bradley passed away in 2017, aged six, and formed a special bond with Blues after appearing as a mascot when Everton travelled to the Stadium of Light in 2016.
Then chairman Bill Kenwright donated £200,000 towards Bradley's treatment and when the Black Cats visited Goodison Park later that season he was carried onto the pitch in his Sunderland kit by Romelu Lukaku.
Tributes laid to Michael Jones and Bradley Lowery at the Michael Jones memorial at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Tributes laid to Michael Jones and Bradley Lowery at the Michael Jones memorial at Hill Dickinson Stadium
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The Lowery family have maintained a close relationship with Everton and first visited Hill Dickinson Stadium for the West Ham United game in September. They returned as the club sought to raise awareness of childhood cancer on Sunday.
Reflecting on the support from the Blues, where a banner depicting Bradley was draped across home and away supporters before the Sunday's match, Gemma said: “All the football family are incredible, they all support Bradley, and they all support Bradley's foundation and continuing his legacy.
“It's incredible that one little boy with that beautiful smile has brought so many people together that wouldn't normally have anything to do with each other. So you look at the Sunderland-Newcastle rivalry, Newcastle fans are incredible. The football club were really good with us and it is fab that people put the rivalry aside and focus on the cause, which is raising awareness for childhood cancer.
“But Everton and Sunderland, I think the fans are very, very similar. We're very similar and they are just amazing. We've got a lot of respect for Everton and Everton have got a respect for Sunderland. I love coming and watching Everton-Sunderland play. It's always difficult because Sunderland's my team, but Everton holds such a space in my heart - it's a very difficult time because I want Sunderland to win but I don't want Everton to lose.”
A giant tifo showing the late Bradley Lowery during the Premier League match between Everton and Sunderland at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images
A giant tifo showing the late Bradley Lowery during the Premier League match between Everton and Sunderland at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images
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The game showcased the work of the Bradley Lowery Foundation, set up by the family to support those fundraising for treatment and equipment not readily available through the NHS.
It also coincided with tributes to Michael, an Everton season-ticket holder who passed away aged 26 following a tragic incident while he was working on the club’s new stadium development. Supporters gave a standing ovation in his memory in the 26th minute and his family left tributes at the mooring post dedicated to him outside the stadium.
They lay their tribute to Bradley alongside blue and white bouquets dedicated to Michael.
Speaking to the ECHO, Gemma Leary, one of Michael’s sisters, said: “We wanted to acknowledge little Bradley’s birthday as well as our Michael’s. Bradley touched so many hearts. No parent should have to bury their child, it is a heartache that never gets easier.
“Bradley and Michael have been shown so much love and I’ve seen how much it’s helped my mum and dad and I hope his parents get some comfort from it too. Their work for the Bradley Lowery Foundation is incredible.”
Alongside the tributes to Bradley and Michael, the matchday also shone a light on Children With Cancer UK’s ’Too Big’ campaign, a drive to highlight the realities faced by children living with cancer.
Ahead of kick-off, 11-year-old Kaiden Edwards, who is living with medulloblastoma - a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer - walked out of the tunnel ahead of kick-off wearing an oversized shirt emblazoned with the message ‘2 BIG’.
Kaiden Edwards, 11, who is living with medulloblastoma, walks out with James Garner to raise awareness of Children With Cancer UK’s ’Too Big’ campaign, a drive to highlight the realities faced by children living with cancer. Image: Everton FC
Kaiden Edwards, 11, who is living with medulloblastoma, walks out with James Garner to raise awareness of Children With Cancer UK’s ’Too Big’ campaign, a drive to highlight the realities faced by children living with cancer. Image: Everton FC
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After the match his mother, Kathryn, explained: “We try not to look too far ahead because childhood cancer teaches you to take things one day at a time. My hope is always for tomorrow; that Kaiden is comfortable, that he’s smiling, that he gets to enjoy moments like today.
“Kaiden has been fighting this disease for nearly four years, and throughout that time we’ve seen the impact treatment can have on a growing child’s body. No child should have to endure treatments that were originally designed for adults when there is the potential for kinder, more targeted options.
“Seeing him walk out at the match as mascot means so much to us as a family, and we’re incredibly grateful to Children with Cancer UK for giving him this opportunity and for helping shine a light on what children like Kaiden go through. That’s why campaigns like this matter so much. They give families like ours hope that things can change for future children diagnosed with cancer.”