The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Football stars pay tribute to boy who stole their hearts
The world of football has paid tribute to six-year-old Bradley Lowery who has lost his battle with a rare childhood cancer.
Stars, including Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, shared their sorrow at the loss of the Sunderland fan whose remarkable friendship with striker Jermain Defoe touched thousands.
He died yesterday at home in Blackhall, County Durham, in his parents’ arms and surrounded by his family.
In a statement on the family’s Facebook page, his mother Gemma said: “There are no words to describe how heartbroken we are.
“Thank you everyone for all your support and kind words. Sleep tight baby boy and fly high with them angels.”
Bradley and Defoe were pictured snuggled up together at the youngster’s home last week after the little boy had a party in bed as a way of saying goodbye.
The day before Bradley died, Defoe paid tribute at a news conference with his new club Bournemouth, saying: “There is not a day that goes past where I do not wake up in the morning and check my phone or think about little Bradley because his love is genuine and I can see it in his eyes.”