Bradley Lowery’s family will attend Everton’s final home fixture of the season against Sunderland as special guests on what would have been his 15th birthday. The match at Hill Dickinson Stadium will also bring Everton and Sunderland supporters together for a banner tribute in his honour.
Gemma Lowery said returning to the stadium with both sets of fans remembering Bradley is “incredibly emotional” and “a proud moment” for the family. She added that the two clubs “have both been absolutely amazing.”
Hill Dickinson Stadium tribute
Everton will welcome Carl and Gemma Lowery for Sunday’s game, and the supporters’ banner will stretch from the upper tier of the North West corner down into the lower section housing visiting fans. Gemma said, “It’s precious to me because they were fantastic when Bradley was alive, but to continue that support, and to help us to continue his legacy, has been incredible.”
Bradley became a symbol of hope and inspiration through his fight against Stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma. He appeared as Sunderland’s mascot against Everton at the Stadium of Light in September 2016, and then Everton chairman Bill Kenwright made a £200,000 donation to support his treatment after that fixture.
Bradley Lowery Foundation
Bradley returned for the reverse fixture at Goodison Park in January 2017, when Everton striker Romelu Lukaku carried him onto the pitch in his Sunderland kit. The family’s return on Sunday comes as the Bradley Lowery Foundation continues work that includes supporting families fundraising for treatment and equipment not readily available through the NHS.
Gemma said, “The awareness they have both raised has been really important. It gets people talking about childhood cancer and gets people wanting to do fundraising activities, which in turn, helps us to help other families.”
Children With Cancer UK
Everton will also support Children With Cancer UK’s Too Big campaign during the matchday. Ahead of kick-off, 11-year-old Kaiden Edwards will walk out of the tunnel wearing an oversized shirt emblazoned with the message 2 BIG.
Kaiden’s cancer journey began in 2021. He has undergone major surgery, proton beam therapy and chemotherapy, and after a relapse in 2024 he continues to receive treatment.
