Birthday boy is an inspiration

Happy sixth birthday Bradley Lowery!

If you get a few minutes today, just take a look through the family’s Facebook page.

It will take you on a journey that mixes the ordinary with the extraordinary.

Here is a boy whose battle with cancer has captured the hearts of the public.

The posts on the site reveal a family’s personal story of coping with a situation which is quite simply every parent’s nightmare.

It is touchingly open and honest, giving an insight from ordinary people in what has turned into an extraordinary story.

The page is simply titled Bradley Lowery’s Fight Against Neuroblastoma, but it’s not just about Bradley.

His story has inspired so many people and the Facebook page, liked and followed by more than a quarter of a million people, has given others facing similar heartbreaking situations a platform to share their experiences.

Through the posts you get to see Bradley through every stage of his battle and you will be amazed at the show of support from so many parts of our community and beyond.

For obvious reasons, his high-profile friendship with Jermain Defoe features prominently in most media coverage.

It’s done wonders to help Bradley’s cause, but the family has been at pains to stress that they are not the only ones in this situation.

Bradley’s battle is the same faced by many families in our community and we should never lose sight of that.

Thanks to the efforts of the family and their friends, we won’t.

Happy sixth birthday little fella.

You and your family are an inspiration.