THE fundraising goes on for a young cancer sufferer despite the target being reached for him to travel to the USA for specialist treatment.

A surprise donation of £200,000 by Everton FC meant the immediate £700,000 target to cover the cost of antibody medication in New York for Bradley Lowery was achieved, earlier this week.

But his family and many fundraising friends still hope to add to the sum to ensure other costs, including travel, accommodation and extra care, can all be met in coming months.

The five-year-old boy, from Blackhall, County Durham, is fighting the neuroblastoma form of cancer, which returned earlier this year, after he was thought to have previously overcome the disease, when it was first diagnosed in 2013.

His mother Gemma, father Carl and older brother Kieran have been backed in their campaign by many generous donations in recent months.

But the appeal was given a huge boost when the keen Sunderland football fan was invited to be mascot, leading the team out for Monday’s televised Premier League match against Everton, at the Stadium of Light.

Fans of both clubs joined in a mass applause and many sang: “There’s only one Bradley Lowery,” on the fifth minute, to mark his age.

Such was the impact that it sparked many donations form viewing fans across the country, many who may not have previously been aware of Bradley’s plight.

But the coup de grace came after the final whistle when Everton announced it would make a £200,000 donation, to help the appeal reach the £700,000 initial target.

Other events remain on the horizon to keep the potentially vital extra funds coming in for the appeal.

A sponsored Teddy Walk planned prior to Monday’s events at the Stadium of Light, will go ahead as planned in Easington Colliery tomorrow.

Starting from the Healthworks premises, in Paradise Lane, at 2pm, walkers, many in fancy dress or carrying their teddy bears, will be shaking collection buckets as they make the four-mile journey down the Coast Road, to the Co-op store in Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery.

The event is backed by the Co-op stores in both Blackhall and Easington Colliery, which are providing bottled water and fruit for participants.

Depending on his health, on the day, Bradley may join walkers at the start, with mother Gemma, who works for the Well-being team at Healthworks.

A further sponsored walk, on a super hero theme, has been organised for Saturday October 1.

Starting at what is described as ‘The Big Old Bus Stand’, at Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, at 10.30am, it covers a route of about ten miles, ending at The Bell guesthouse, on Sunderland Road, Horden, by about mid-afternoon, where refreshments will be available.

Less ambitious walkers and younger participants are welcome to join the last two miles, from the Hardwick Hotel, on the Coast Road, in Blackhall, at 2.30pm.

Further details are available via the Sponsored Superhero Walk for Superhero Bradley page, on Facebook.