#SAFC to raise money for 'holiday home' with special addition Bradley Lowery shirt
Sunderland AFC has today launched ‘For Bradley’, a special fundraising campaign to create a holiday home for sick children and their families.
The For Bradley initiative has been created by SAFC to honour the memory of six-year-old Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery, the Blackhall youngster, who captured the hearts of football fans around the world as he bravely battled neuroblastoma. The Wearsiders will raise money through the sale of a special edition adidas home shirt, which has affectionately been named as ‘Bradley’s Shirt’.
The holiday home, known as Bradley’s Place, will be run by the Bradley Lowery Foundation providing families from across the UK with an opportunity to spend time together, something which was so important to the Lowery family, as Bradley’s mum, Gemma Lowery, explains: “One of our favourite memories is taking Bradley on holiday to Scarborough. We are absolutely thrilled that Sunderland AFC suggested that we could create similar memories for other families.
“Since Bradley’s sad passing in July we have worked tirelessly to ensure a positive legacy will come from his personal fight and I’m sure Bradley will be watching over everyone and be very proud that his legacy will now help others.”
SAFC chief executive Martin Bain said, “Bradley Lowery was an inspirational little boy who made a big impact on this club and the wider footballing world. We want to create a legacy for Bradley that will be for the good of everyone. Bradley’s Shirt will go a long way to making that happen, with all money made from sales of the special edition shirt helping to build memories for sick children and their extended families.
“We’re asking our fans and the wider footballing community to wear the shirt for Bradley and join us in making a difference.”
The Sky Bet Championship game against Millwall on 18 November at the Stadium of Light will be dedicated to the For Bradley campaign, with a range of activities taking place to celebrate its launch. Bradley’s Shirt will be worn by the Sunderland players during the match, with the shirts being auctioned following the game to raise funds for the campaign.
In a fitting tribute to Bradley, the Black Cats will be led out this weekend by 13-year-old Thomas Bypus, a SAFC season card holder with his grandad, who became great friends with Bradley when they were both receiving treatment at the RVI in Newcastle.
As Sunderland AFC club captain John O’Shea explains, Bradley was no stranger to the role of mascot; “Bradley became firm friends with staff and players alike, leading the team out on a number of occasions. He made a huge impact on our club and the wider football community. Everyone at the club is honoured to be able to give our continued support to the Lowery family and the charity.”
Millwall FC are also backing the campaign and both teams will wear special warm-up shirts carrying the For Bradley mark before the match. Millwall FC fans will also show their support by presenting a cheque to the Bradley Lowery Foundation at half time.
Bradley’s Shirt is available to buy from the official club shop or via safcstore.com from 18 November and will be priced at £39.99 for junior shirts and £49.99 for adults. All money made from shirt sales will be donated by SAFC to the Bradley Lowery Foundation.
Thumbs up #ForBradley
The double thumbs up in his little red and white gloves was Bradley’s gesture. SAFC want to make it everyone’s. The club is asking fans to share pictures or videos of themselves giving a double thumbs up, using our #ForBradley hashtag on twitter and Instagram