Bradley Lowery: Sunderland fan reaches £700,000 target after Everton donate £200,000 for brave mascot

THE five-year-old Sunderland mascot who captured hearts and needed to raise £700,000 for cancer treatment has reached his target.

Bradley Lowery can now travel to the US for anti-body treatment after donations poured in on his Virgin MoneyGiving page following Everton’s brilliant £200,000 gift.

Bradley, who has neuroblastoma, appeared as a mascot ahead of Monday’s game between his beloved Sunderland and the Toffees.

He was given five-star treatment by the club, walking on to the pitch with Jermain Defoe – his favourite player – before watching the action from the VIP box.

He heard his name sung out at the Stadium of Light, before Everton announced they would be handing over a massive donation.

Mum Gemma, described the donation as “like winning the lottery”.

She told the : “Not in a million years did we think that would happen.

“We were in the limo on the way home when my sister-in-law rang and told us about the donation.

“I didn’t believe her, we had to look on the internet to check if it was true.

“When we saw it, everyone was screaming and shouting. It is like we have won the lottery.”

Since Monday donations have continued to come in.

At the time of writing the website has received more than £540,000 from more than 7,500 donors, with a further £380,000 (including Everton’s) in offline donations.

On Monday, the club wrote on Twitter: “Everton Football Club has pledged a donation of £200,000 to support [Bradley] in his brave battle.

“We wish Bradley every success and he has the love and support of every Evertonian.”

Everton boss Ronald Koeman later Tweeted: “Great from our Chairman.”

The Toffees also invited Bradley to the return fixture, while shirts from Monday’s game are to be auctioned to raised even more money.

After the game, Bradley said: “I got to meet Jermain Defoe, who’s my favourite.

“Everyone said my name. Thank you everyone.”

Supporters who want to donate can also text BRAD02 to 70070, and can follow Bradley on his Twitter at .