As the name suggests I'm a Sunderland fan and after hearing the news about the donation I just had to come on here to express exactly what this means to all of us.
Many of us have been following Bradley's plight for many months since he was diagnosed. As a parent myself I can only imagine what it must feel like to be told that your baby has cancer and that, unless you can raise the kind of money out of the reach of ordinary people, he has virtually no chance of survival. You're having to try to persuade strangers that, amongst all the other causes, your little boy, your world, is worth a few quid.
The Sunderland fans on our main message board have been doing our best to raise awareness and have been donating money and items to his cause hoping to give him just a shot at life. We aren't a rich area of the country but we've done anything we can to raise the funds he needs. On nearly every picture, despite what he's gone through, despite the painful treatment, losing all his teeth, despite knowing he was fighting for his life, somehow he still smiles. All he wants is a chance to live. We managed to help get the total up, over £400k was raised with fans from all over chipping in, even a Newcastle supporters bus took collections before their game at Derby. That alone was heartwarming.
Then came the news that he was going to be mascot at this game, bravely saying he wanted to walk out, not be carried. We all hoped maybe a bit more money would come in for him, especially once sky we're told about his fight.
Then came Everton. Firstly, the fans have been amazing, fanzines tweeting about him, ordinary Evertonians donating, the crowd at the game joining in the singing and applause. Unbelievable. Coming home after the game I was annoyed at the performance but more so I was upset for Bradley. Then I heard the news about the donation. What can you say to that? The game doesn't matter one bit when you hear about the donation from the club. At a time when footballers and their clubs are roundly criticised for only caring about cash Everton have shown a different side. They have dug deep when there was no need to do so, just helping raise awareness was all we hoped for from Everton and their fans. They have taken a little Sunderland lad and given him a shot at life.
From the bottom of my heart and the bottom of every Sunderland fan's heart, thank you Everton, both the club and the supporters. What you've done for one of our own is truly overwhelming and it's safe to say you are now very much the second team for a lot of people in our little corner of the world. That brave, smiling little boy might yet get to live the life he deserves and everyone at Everton, from the club, to the fans we saw chipping into the collection buckets outside, to the fanzines raising awareness, you've all done a lot to help him.
For such a long post you'll be amazed to hear that I'm speechless. After that you're more than welcome to the three points, I genuinely hope you go on and win the title. For years and years to come this will not be forgotten. Absolute class from a class club. Thank you.
