It seemed to be a funeral like no other.
Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, to attend Bradley Lowery’s funeral in his hometown.
The six-year-old British soccer fan struck the hearts of a nation as he battled a rare form of cancer called neuroblastoma, which ended up taking his life on July 6.
What inspired the hearts of so many were photos his winning smile, which seemed to show a spirit unwavered by such a debilitating disease.
Lowery’s mom, Gemma, revealed in a Facebook post on July 7 that he passed away.
“My brave boy has went with the angels today 07/07/17 at 13:35, in mammy and daddies arms surrounded by his family. He was our little superhero and put the biggest fight up but he was needed else where,” the post reads.
The inspirational boy was a fan of Sunderland’s soccer team and formed a special bond with England soccer player Jermain Defoe, who also attended the funeral.
Defoe, now signed with soccer team Bournemouth, left training in Spain to attend the service, BBC reported.
