Bradley Lowery's Legacy

The poignant image of Romelu Lukaku carrying five-year-old Bradley Lowery in his arms at Goodison Park in 2017 never left Evertonian Aaron Middlebrough.

The moment provided the inspiration for a 212-mile bike ride which ended at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, coinciding with the visit of Bradley's beloved Black Cats.

Aaron and cycling partner Mark Chapman, a Sunderland supporter, left Wearside on Wednesday and had planned to call in on nine different football grounds en route to Sunday's finishing line.

Serious health issues restricted Aaron to starting and finishing the ride, but Mark decided to continue the ride solo.

"Aaron took ill on the first day," explained Mark. "But once I'd made sure he was okay we decided I should continue on my own.

"It was tough! But it was worth it. To see the tifo for Bradley and both sets of supporters joining in with the applause was so poignant.

"The Everton supporters were amazing. Their reaction underlined the 'Cancer has no Colours' theme. Sunderland might have won on the day but the real winner was the Bradley Lowery Foundation."

Evertonian Aaron, 22, recovered sufficiently to finish the ride and said: "I was only a kid, sat in the Gwladys Street, when Lukaku walked out with Bradley, but the moment stayed with me.

"When I saw that the Sunderland fixture this season was on what would have been Bradley's 15th birthday I thought I needed to do something to pay our respects, raise funds for his foundation and celebrate the bond which he created between Sunderland and Everton.

"I reached out to Sunderland supporters clubs and they put me in touch with Mark."

The pair had never met before their marathon expedition.

The first leg was a 67-mile trek from the Stadium of Light to Ripon. The next day took in Leeds United, Bradford City and Huddersfield Town's stadiums, before a tour of Manchester, passing Old Trafford, The Etihad Stadium and Salford City's Peninsula Stadium.

Bradley's mum, Gemma, met the cyclists after their ride and spoke of her gratitude and admiration for their efforts.

Aaron added: "We did this to keep Bradley’s spirit alive, to support families facing similar battles, and to show that the unity he created still shines just as brightly today.

"Any donation, big or small, will make a difference — and will help ensure that Bradley’s legacy continues to bring hope to others. Because in moments like these, football rivalries disappear. Cancer has no colours."

Aaron and Mark have already smashed their pre-ride target, but you can help them raise even more for Bradley's Cancer Has No Colours Cause using the Just Giving link here.