Sir Bobby Robson's foundation marks fifth anniversary

Sir Bobby Robson's foundation has celebrated its fifth anniversary after it raised over £5 million to help detect and treat cancer.

It was launched when the former England and Newcastle United boss underwent treatment for the illness in 2008 with an initial target of £500,000, which was reached in just seven weeks.

The foundation helps financially support projects within the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which directly benefits cancer patients throughout the North East and Cumbria.

It helps to provide clinical trials for cancer drugs and has equipped the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre in Newcastle's Northern Centre for Cancer Care, while a specialist clinical research nurse and doctor have also been appointed.

As well as this, the organisation has funded leukaemia laboratory research equipment.

Thanks to the foundation, over 1,000 patients have been treated on clinical trials, while an extra 1,000 have been enrolled in other studies.

Prof Ruth Plummer, Sir Bobby’s oncologist and director of the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, said: Sir Bobby always had an eye on what we could do if we raised more than £500,000. I think he’d be amazed at just how much more we’ve been able to do.

"The specialist cancer equipment and staff we’ve been able to fund as a result of the charity is making a tremendous difference to patients."

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer is a patron of the foundation and also commented on its success.

"I’m proud to be a patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and I’ve been privileged to meet some amazing people through the charity.

"Cancer affects everybody differently. For some people, like Sir Bobby, it becomes a challenge. I’m sure Sir Bobby would be humbled and very proud at his charity’s ongoing success," he stated.