‘Thank you for all the things you’ve done for me. Love you. Bye.’
Bradley’s TV message to his hero Jermain:
Little fighter Bradley Lowery has sent a heart- warming message to SAFC ace Jermain Defoe who appeared live on national TV.
The Sunderland striker was on ITV’s Lorraine show this morning, talking about his special relationship with the five-year-old, who suffers from neuroblastoma.
Defoe was visibly touched as a pre-recorded message was played to him as he sat in the studio sofa.
The striker’s appearance on the programme came as a bookmaker pledged to donate £10,000 to Bradley’s appeal fund ahead of this Saturday’s Grand National.
The Blackhall youngster said: “Hi Jermain. Hope you have a good time on Lorraine.
“Thank you for all the things you’ve done for me. Love you. Bye.”
Jermain said: “It’s difficult seeing someone so young going through something like that.
“The first time I met Bradley was amazing.
“I came into the changing rooms and the mascots were there and there was this young lad who was ill.
“His energy was amazing. He was buzzing around.
“He ran over to me and jumped on my lap.
“From that instant moment, the bond started there. He is an amazing child.
“People talk about how he’s changed me as a person.”
Jermain told Lorraine he finds it hard to keep his composure and emotions in check when he meets Bradley.
He also spoke of how the heart-warming photograph came about, of he and Bradley enjoying a cuddle in his hospital bed.
“He asked them to turn the lights off and pull up the covers,” Jermain added. “He just wanted a cuddle.”
Lorraine told him: “I think you would be a good dad.”
To which Jermain replied: “Yes, of course. It’s the little things he comes out with when I spend time with him and he tells me about his girlfriend Poppy.
“At some point I would like to have a family because children are important.”
Bookmaker Betfred is also now set to donate £10,000 towards Bradley’s appeal.
Bradley and members of his family are set to attend tomorrow’s Grand National horse race at Aintree, in Liverpool, after being invited by organisers.
He has also been given an honorary number on the race card, 41.
Fred Done, boss of Warrington-based Betfred, said: “As soon as I heard what Aintree were doing I wanted to support this fantastic idea.”
“People talk about how he’s changed me as a person” JERMAIN DEFOE