Bradley Lowery's dad has suffered life-changing burns and is now unable to work, it can be revealed.
Carl Lowery, then 37, was hit by an electrical blast at work in 2020 that severely burnt his arms and face and left him having to relearn how to use a hand.
The tradesman underwent multiple surgeries, which included a skin graft from his thigh.
The injury was a fresh blow for the Lowery family - son Bradley died from cancer aged six in 2017 after winning the hearts of football fans around the world.
Well-wishers raised more than £700,000 in 2016 to pay for Bradley to be given antibody treatment in New York to help fight his cancer.
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But his parents Carl and Gemma were later dealt the tragic news that his cancer had grown and become terminal.
At the time of the accident in 2020, Carl was working for SRE Cabling and Jointing Limited on new apartment blocks in Salford.
Carl and a colleague were working on the building's main switchboard when a nut rolled between a gap in a guard panel and into live bus bars, causing the "electrical flash".
He was blown back and severely burned.
In a victim impact statement, Carl said: “Even when Bradley was poorly I worked. I’ve not been able to work since the accident either, mentally or physically.
“My left hand is my dominant hand and after the accident I had no grip. I had to try and learn how to use my non-dominant hand.”
Aberla M&E Limited, which had contracted the work to SRE, was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £20,000 in costs at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.
HSE inspector Lisa Bailey said: “This incident has had life-changing consequences for Carl and his family.
"It could have been avoided if the company had actively monitored and managed procedures, to identify risks and prevent incidents.
“Working with electricity is a high-risk activity and safety must be a priority. Proper planning to ensure that risks are eliminated at system design stage is essential.”
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Carl's son Bradley captured hearts across the nation and was made mascot for Sunderland’s Premier League clash at home to Everton in September 2016 - with the youngster then meeting his "hero" Defoe.
In a recorded moment of their first meeting, little Bradley could be heard asking "where's Jermaine".
In a touching moment, the then captain of Sunderland and Bradley compared their matching football boots.
From there, their connection blossomed and the youngster became a household name across Britain.
Bradley, who hailed from Blackhall Coliery, Co Durham, was just 18 months old when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2013.
Little Bradley underwent "tumour-shrinking treatment" at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary but the cancer continued to spread.
Nonetheless, Bradley continued his fight alongside "best mate" Defoe, who would visit the youngster regularly.
My left hand is my dominant hand and after the accident I had no grip. I had to try and learn how to use my non-dominant hand
Carl Lowery
Heart-warming photos from February 2017 saw Defoe snuggled up alongside Bradley in bed surrounded by Sunderland merchandise.
After the visit, Defoe said: "As soon as I walked into the room, he jumped up and grabbed me and said: 'Get in the bed!'
"He got the covers on me, he said to his mum: "Could you turn the lights off?" He just wanted a cuddle and to go to sleep."
Propelled by Defoe's devoted support, Bradley asked for as many Christmas cards as possible.
His wish was granted when truckloads of Royal Mail vans delivered an astonishing 280,000 cards and over 75 parcels containing gifts.
Sport stars such as Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka and even former Prime Minister Tony Blair sent cards.
By January 2017, Match of the Day awarded him joint goal of the month for his penalty against Chelsea's Asmir Begović.
Bradley then went on to lead England out at Wembley alongside his hero Defoe in March 2017.
Then-skipper Joe Hart swapped places with Defoe in the tunnel so he and Bradley could take the first steps onto the field holding each other's hands.
But in the months that followed, Bradley's condition worsened and he was brought home in May 2017 to receive palliative care.
