Bradley Lowery battled to the very end with a smile across his face and that gave us continued hope, but on Friday 7 July, a brave 6-year-old lad from Blackhall Colliery, near Hartlepool, broke the heart of a nation.
The youngster inspired a nation with his incredible journey, as millions rallied together to help him and his family battle the debilitating disease of Neuroblastoma, but Bradley's incredible journey sadly ended earlier this year.
Months after his passing, Bradley will be honoured at Sunday's BBC Sports Personality of the Year show with the achievement in the face of adversity award. It will be presented to Bradley's parents, Gemma and Carl, later this evening.
Bradley may have only been with us for six short years, but he made sure that his time on this earth was precious
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From walking hand in hand with best mate Jermain Defoe at Wembley Stadium to having a horse named after him at the Grand National, the youngster experienced the best of what life has to offer and it all started on a Monday night in the North East.
The world was introduced to Bradley back in September last year.
He proudly led the Sunderland team out for a Premier League game against Everton and was warmly welcomed by the fans. His beaming smile was shared across the country.
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Images: PA
Bradley had come along way in a short space of time. Bradley was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2013 and after two-years of chemotherapy, he was effectively free of cancer and, for 18 months, was a "normal boy enjoying his life".
But three months prior to his guest of honour appearance at the Stadium of Light, Bradley's neuroblastoma returned.
He continued to fight the disease with incredible bravery. Bradley's message was spread across social media that night, and fittingly, he and his family's life changed.
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After the Sunderland game, the family raised in excess of the £700,000 needed for Bradley to have antibody treatment in New York.
The reaction to Bradley's appearance that night touched the nation and after the match, it was announced Everton had given £200,000 towards life-saving treatment in America to fight against cancer.
The 'Bradley Lowery Foundation' continued to receive huge support from well-wishers across the globe and last Christmas, an amazing act of kindness brought a tear to my eye.
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250,000 well-wishers sent Christmas cards to his home in Blackhall Colliery, near Hartlepool.
Inspired by the youngster's courage, this world gave Bradley the best christmas he could ever have wished for.
His last wish was to receive as many Christmas cards as possible and in the lead-up to Christmas day, he received a total of 250,000.
An incredible response for a remarkable little man.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Liverpool, Sunderland
