The family of Bradley Lowery said he will be waiting with "his arms open for Uncle Bill" in a heartfelt tribute to the Everton FC Chairman Bill Kenwright.
Bill Kenwright CBE, died aged 78, on October 23. In a statement Everton Football Club said: "Everton Football Club is in mourning following the death of Chairman Bill Kenwright CBE, who passed away peacefully last night aged 78, surrounded by his family and loved ones. Everton’s longest serving chairman for more than a century, Bill Kenwright led the club through a period of unprecedented change in English football. A lifelong Evertonian, he became a board member on October 23, 1989, and then on Boxing Day 1999 his True Blue Holdings consortium acquired the club. Initially vice-chairman, he succeeded his close friend Sir Philip Carter as Chair in 2004.
"In his 19 seasons as chairman, the club secured 12 top eight finishes, including a top four finish in 2005, a run to the 2009 FA Cup final and European qualification on 6 separate occasions. The club has lost a chairman, a leader, a friend, and an inspiration. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Everton are with his partner Jenny Seagrove, his daughter Lucy Kenwright, grandchildren and everybody who knew and loved him."
READ MORE:Everton chairman Bill Kenwright dies aged 78
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In a statement tonight the family of Bradley Lowery paid tribute to "Uncle Bill" and told of how he gave £200k to help their son access treatment abroad.
The six-year-old died in 2017 after a brave and courageous battle with cancer. Bradley touched the hearts of Merseyside when he was carried on to the pitch at Goodison Park before the Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton in February 2017.
In a heartfelt statement tonight his family on the Bradley Lowery Foundation page on Instagram wrote: "I am absolutely devastated to hear of the passing of Bill Kenwright, aka, Uncle Bill.
"Bill was a huge part of Bradley’s fundraising journey. He donated £200,000.00 to Brad’s campaign to access treatment abroad.
That money then went into my baby’s amazing charity, on Uncle Bill say so.
"He was an amazing gentleman, who went above and beyond to help me and my family after Bradley went with the angels, Bill made sure we had time to grieve away from media, and whisked my whole family away so we could spend time together without intrusion.
"I had many long chats with Bill, always asking his advice, he was one in a million. I will never forget what he did for us. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this very sad time. Bradley will be waiting with his arms open ready to give you a big cuddle, like he did the first time he met you. Fly high Bill."
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