BRADLEY LEGACY GOING STRONG
GEMMA LOWERY SAYS IT’S BEEN A BUSY 18 MONTHS
A charity set up in memory of a special little boy who captured the hearts of the nation is a shining example of how much can be achieved in little more than a year.
In about 18 short months the Bradley Lowery Foundation has supported children and families from all walks of life with their own challenges, all inspired by the fight of one youngster.
Bradley, who was six when he died, was supported by so many people across the country as he faced terminal neuroblastoma cancer.
The foundation in his name was set up by mum Gemma Lowery in the wake of his death, with the aim of making a difference to the lives of other families.
And despite facing the heartbreaking loss of her son each day, Gemma has told of how Bradley’s memory continues to inspire the mission of the Foundation and help her stay positive.
She said: “[The Foundation] was created because of Bradley, he was the one who created his own legacy.
“I just have to live up to it. They are very big shoes to fill. ”
Gemmalaunchedherown fund-raiser in 2013 with the support of family and friends to try and raise enough money to secure treatment for her son in the United States. The total raised topped £1million, with the money going on to provide the funding base for the charity.
It was the success of this which inspired the charity’s focus to help children and their families with fund-raising for treatment or equipment which is not readily available or covered by the NHS.
Following on from these successes, the Foundation has taken on the fight of more than a dozen other children, and has also begun work to support “legacies” in memory of children who have now lost their lives.
It was also confirmed at the end of 2018 that the charity plans to open a holiday home for sick children and their families in Scarborough – a place which holds many happy memories for Gemma, husband Carl and their family.
“I am proud of all my team and everybody that works for the Foundation,” Gemma said. “We are like a little family, all of our volunteers and Bradley’s champions are just fantastic.
Bradley would be very proud of me and all of the guys who are working for us.”
For more information about the Bradley Lowery Foundation and its work, visit https://bradleyloweryfoundation.com/
“Bradley would be proud of me and all the guys” GEMMA LOWERY