Tattoo of the Sunderland crest

David Stonebank got his rival club's badge inked on his leg to raise funds for nephew Bradley, a brave young Sunderland fan battling cancer.

  16 Agustus 2016 06:14

Brilio.net/en - Rivalries are part and parcel of all sports, an especially football. In England, the rivalry between Newcastle United and Sunderland is one of the most bitter.

But in that bitterness is a heartwarming story.

ForNewcastle fan David Stonebank, the rivalry has becomea sweet affair.

Davidrecently got a tattoo of a Sunderland badge inked on his legin a quest toraise money for his five-year-old nephew Bradley Lowrey, who is currently battling cancerandis a massive Sunderland fan!

Five-year old Bradley Lowrey  2016 brilio.net

"It's okay mummy - I'm going to kick cancer's butt again."
2016 brilio.net/South West News Service

David had pledged that if he raised1,000 in sponsorship for Bradley, he would keep hispromise of getting a tattoo. In less than a week, that target was met, and the gauntlet thrown down!

Davidtoldthe media "having the tattoo done has broken my heart but I'd do anything for Bradley so the rivalry doesn't even matter. I've been completely overwhelmed by the response, it's been amazing. My wife suggested getting the tattoo because it was something different and at first I said no chance but after a couple of beers I agreed to it."

In addition to the Sunderland emblem, David's tattoo has the words 'Just for Brad' inked right above it. When Bradley saw it for the first time, he just laughed! Well, maybe hes still too young to understand the sacrifice his uncle has just made.

Raising Money For Bradley

Bradley is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Neuroblastoma when he was just one. The disease seemed to have dissipated and he was given the all-clear, but it reemerged last month.

Despite the shock offamily and loved ones, Bradley has shownhis fighting spirit. These were his heartwarming words to his mother Gemma: "It's okay mummy - I'm going to kick cancer's butt again."

Bradley has already completed one of six rounds of chemotherapy treatment. When he was initially diagnosed with cancer, his mother raised 261,000 during the first two years of his treatments, but she stopped after he was given the all-clear.

Gemma is nowaiming to raise 700,000 to pay for Bradley's treatment in the United States. The 1,000 that Uncle David raised has gone into that.

If you would like help out, go tohttp://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BradleysFight. Let's all hope Bradley will hasa speedy recovery ahead!

You can also check on his progress on instagram @bradleysfight.

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