BRADLEY Lowery’s mother has said Jermain Defoe does not need to win awards to know how much he is loved after he was left off the Sports Personality of the Year shortlist.

The BBC was accused of ‘snubbing’ the former Sunderland striker who formed a heart-warming relationship with the youngster as he was treated for neuroblastoma.

The six-year-old, whose brave battle captured the nation’s hearts, ran out as a mascot for his beloved Black Cats, and England, before his death in July.

Supporters took to social media after the list, which includes Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, and Great Britain’s most successful athlete Mo Farah, was released on Monday.

Defoe, 35, who now plays for Bournemouth, spent hours with Bradley, from Blackhall Colliery in County Durham, and visited the youngster when he was poorly in hospital.

The pair formed an unlikely friendship and Defoe remains close to the family.

Gemma Lowery, 34, said: “It would have been nice for him to be recognised but he did not do it for recognition.

“He did it for Brad and he did it for the family.

“As long as the family are aware of his hard work and what he has done, that is all that matters.

“He does not need an award to know how much he is loved within the family and the community.”

Defoe is a patron of The Bradley Lowery Foundation, which helps the families of other children with medical treatment and expensive specialist equipment.

A petition, backed by thousands, was launched after Bradley’s death calling for him to win the honour of Sports Personality of the Year but the omission has upset some.

Ellie Stevens wrote on Twitter: ‘Livid Jermain isn’t nominated for SPOTY, should’ve won it by a mile.’

John Wallbank wrote: ‘Jermain Defoe is not even in the 12 nominations...disgusting if you ask me, after all he did for little Bradley Lowery.’

In response to the SPOTY omission, online bookmaker Betway rounded up the £628 total stake it has received on Defoe to win to £1,000 and donated it to the foundation.

Paul Dobson, from A Love Supreme, the Sunderland football fanzine, said Defoe could be a contender for other awards in future.

He said: “It is a shame, though, on a sporting front, he has not been up there, after the good things he did with Bradley, he deserves some sort of honour.

“With footballers it tends to be the nasty things that get highlighted.

“But in Jermain’s case he has bucked the trend and done something which has caught everyone’s imagination, as has the whole Bradley Lowery phenomenon.”