Albion fans in fundraising efforts for Bradley

BIG-HEARTED Albion fans are determined to give a “big day out” to Bradley Lowery, the five-year-old Sunderland supporter whose story has touched the heart of football.

The two clubs meet at The Hawthorns this weekend but Bradley will not be able to attend having entered hospital on Monday for treatment.

The youngster is terminally-ill with neuroblastoma but his plight has seen the football family rally round and raise £700,000 for treatment as well as provide a deluge of Christmas cards after he posted an appeal on social media.

But Albion fans want to make their own contribution, despite Bradley’s absence for the forthcoming game, and have launched their own fundraising plans with the aim of treating Bradley to a “big day out” when he is well enough.

They have already launched a JustGiving page and volunteers are also organising a bucket collection around The Hawthorns before Saturday’s kick-off (ko 3pm).

Baggies supporter Debbie Green, who has been in contact with Bradley’s mum Gemma through social media, is leading the initiative which will also see a specially-made banner raised in the Millennium Corner in the fifth minute on Saturday.

“It will say ‘Cancer has no colours’ and carry the badges of Albion and Sunderland,” she says. “Bradley’s story has touched all of football and although it does not look like he will be well enough to attend the game, we want him to know we are with him too.

“His mum has said that when he is better he would love to come to The Hawthorns. In the meantime, we want to raise money so he can have the best day out ever!”