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Bradley Lowery's emotional family have pleaded with autograph hunters to stay away from celebrities as they say goodbye to the brave six-year-old at his funeral tomorrow.

The young Sunderland fan's brave fight against neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer, touched hearts around the world and won him a legion of famous supporters, most notably his 'best mate' Jermain Defoe.

Huge crowds are expected to line the streets outside St. Joseph's R.C Church in the village of Blackhall Colliery, near Hartlepool, County Durham at 11.15am on Friday.

The Sunderland fan's courageous spirit won him a legion of fans including football stars and celebrities alike

He struck a close bond with England and former Sunderland striker Jemain Defoe, who called Bradley his 'best mate' and said he is 'heartbroken'

The six-year-old (pictured with his mother Gemma on his sixth birthday) received support from all over the world 

His family have urged mourners not to use the opportunity to hound them for signings and pictures

Former Black Cats striker Defoe - who has since transferred to Bournemouth - yesterday left his new club's pre-season camp to head to the north-east for the funeral, but Bradley's family urged mourners not to use the opportunity to hound guests for signings and pictures.

A message on the Facebook page for Bradley's campaign this afternoon said: 'Can I ask people not to approach anyone tomorrow for autographs or photos. Everyone is at the funeral to pay their respects and say goodbye.

'Thank you for your cooperation and il try speak to as many as I can at the wake.'

An earlier statement added: 'This is open to everyone who would like to come and celebrate Bradley's life and pay their respects to show him how much he was loved.

'Not everyone will fit in the church but they are having speakers for people to listen to the service outside and people can line the streets if they wish to do so.'

Yesterday, the family encouraged anyone who is not able to attend to have a dress down day at work or school in exchange for £1 towards Bradley Lowery Foundation, which will now go towards other children suffering similar plights.

While there is not a strict dress code, the family will be giving the service the theme 'cancer has no colours'.

Sunderland fans show support for Bradley during a pre-season friendly at Bury at the League 1 club's Gigg Lane ground

A mass of heartfelt tributes to Bradley outside of Sunderland's Stadium of Light earlier this week

His fight against cancer has inspired the support of sports figures all over the world, including Romelu Lukaku (pictured) 

Mourners will wear football shirts from any team they like, in honour of the brave Sunderland mascot who brought the football world together. 

After the public service, Bradley's closest loved ones will share their personal grief at a private crematorium ceremony.

Meanwhile, two separate petitions have been launched to name Defoe as the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year and have a stand at Sunderland's Stadium of Light named after Bradley 

The latter, which was created three months ago but has gathered momentum since his death last week, has racked up more than 37,000 signatures. 

Petition creator Chris Collier wrote: 'My thoughts are with the Lowery family at this unimaginably difficult time.

'Brad has become a symbol of love and hope and nobody can think of Sunderland AFC without thinking of him.

'Because of this, he deserves a permanent feature in his memory.

'The renaming of one of the stands at the Stadium of Light is the perfect idea.'  

 

 

 

 

Footballers across the nation paid their respects to Bradley after he passed away, and famous faces are expected at his funeral tomorrow

Within hours of the Defoe petition going up more than 1,500 people had signed their support. 

The petition, which seems to have begun with a supporter of bitter rivals Newcastle United, says this was one time they had to put their differences aside.

It said: 'Young Bradley Lowery was diagnosed with terminal cancer at a very young age.

'The chance came up for Bradley to be the mascot for Sunderland at a home game, a chance that he took up right away.

'On that matchday, Bradley caught sight of Jermain Defoe, he ran straight up to him and into his arms for a huge embrace with his favourite player and from that moment on they had a brilliant friendship.'

The petition went on to say how Defoe kept up his interest in Bradley.

'Footballers in our days are often labelled this and that, but Jermain went above and beyond any expectation that there was of him when it came to Bradley,' it said. 

A petition to have a stand at the Stadium of Light named after Bradley has garnered 37,000 signatures

A separate online campaign for Jermain Defoe to be named BBC Sports Personality Of The Year has gained 1,500 signatures in 24 hours

Bradley's courageous spirit won him a legion of fans including football stars and celebrities alike.

He struck a close bond with England and former Sunderland striker Jemain Defoe, who called Bradley his 'best mate' and said he is 'heartbroken'.

Bradley's death has led to an outpouring of grief - especially in the world of football - with clubs and their stars paying tribute to the 'ultimate little fighter'.

Touched by his story, the nation came together in a bid to initially cure his illness - with more than £1 million being raised for his official charity, including large donations from several top flight clubs.

And the country's efforts to cheer him up did not stop when it became clear that his condition was terminal, as he was named as the 41st runner in the Grand National and had a charity single soar up the charts.