“Bradley showed incredible courage and brought people together in a way football rarely does”
Brothers Jacob and Joseph Hay will soon be joined by friend Josh Ritchie in embarking on a gruelling 170 mile run from the Stadium of Light to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in memory Bradley Lowery and to raise vital funds for the charity foundation set-up in his memory.
Left to right, Josh Ritchie, 25, Jacob Hay, 22, and Joseph Hay, 22.placeholder image
Left to right, Josh Ritchie, 25, Jacob Hay, 22, and Joseph Hay, 22. | Jacob
Sunderland AFC travel to Merseyside on May 17 to take on the Toffees on what would have been Bradley’s 15th birthday. Tragically, Bradley passed away at just six-years-old from neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer.
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Whilst Bradley became synonymous with the Black Cats and their striker at the time Jermain Defoe, Everton also supported the little boy and his family with the club donating £200,000 to help his family’s efforts to receive specialist treatment in the USA.
Jacob, 22, said: “Last year my brother, Josh, ran from the Stadium of Light to Hillsborough for the game against Sheffield Wednesday. Myself and Josh were really inspired by what he did an we decided we wanted to do something together to raise money in Bradley’s memory.
The trio will be running from the Stadium of Light to the Hill Dickinson Stadium to raise money for the Bradley Lowery Foundation.placeholder image
The trio will be running from the Stadium of Light to the Hill Dickinson Stadium to raise money for the Bradley Lowery Foundation. | Iconic/Getty
“I remember seeing Bradley as a mascot at the Stadium of Light and he had such a massive impact on all football fans.
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“Sunderland AFC obviously did a lot to support Bradley but I know he was also a mascot at Everton and along with Sunderland, they were the club who seemed to really rally round and support the family.”
The trio will set off from the Stadium of Light on May 12 and look to run over 30 miles each day for the first five days, leaving around 13 miles to cover on the last day, looking to arrive at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in time for kick-off.
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The trio are raising money for the Bradley Lowery Foundation which is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for children with life-limiting conditions.
Bradley Lowery would have turned 15 on the day Sunderland AFC take on Everton.placeholder image
Bradley Lowery would have turned 15 on the day Sunderland AFC take on Everton. | other 3rd party
Jacob said: “I’ve done a few half-marathon distances in training but I’ve never ran 30 miles before. I’m expecting this to be the hardest challenge of my life, but I will just think about Bradley and the Foundation.
“Bradley showed incredible courage and brought people together in a way football rarely does.
“That connection between two football clubs, two sets of supporters, and one remarkable young lad is why we have chosen to raise funds for the Bradley Lowery Foundation, continuing the incredible work they do to support families when they need it most.”
A JustGiving page has been set-up ahead of challenge which has already raised £742.
Jacob said: “We are hoping to raise up to £3,000.”
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