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Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson is launching a charitable foundation to help in the fight against cancer.

 

Sir Bobby, 75, who is battling the disease for the fifth time after first being diagnosed in 1991, aims to raise £500,000 for the new charity.

 

The cash will fund the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trial and Research Centre, being built at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

 

The centre will focus on early detection and treatment and clinical trials of new drugs.

 

It will boast dedicated research facilities, including a 12-bed unit with treatment rooms, a laboratory and consulting suites.

 

Last year doctors discovered the former Newcastle United manager, who lives in County Durham, had small cancerous nodules in his lungs.

 

He has battled the disease on and off for the past 15 years, having undergone cancer surgery four times.

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Sir Bobby admits time is running out, but battles on for charity

 

Mar 25 2008 by Jane Hall, The Journal

 

As he fights cancer for the fifth time, Sir Bobby Robson explains to Jane Hall why he is dedicating to the next year to a major fundraising effort launched today to help other North East people beat the killer disease.

 

THE voice is unmistakable. Even from a distance there can be no doubt as to whom it belongs.

 

It’s the voice of a man who has successfully rallied football players to both match and cup winning form from Fulham to Ipswich Town, England to PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon to Porto and Barcelona to Newcastle, in a career that began nearly 60 years ago when he himself pulled on his first pair of leather boots and took to the field for home club Langley Park Juniors.

 

Today that distinctive Durham accent will be put to an entirely different use to rouse to action not an 11-man football team but the entire North East.

 

To sporting legend Sir Bobby Robson the impassioned plea he will deliver later this morning to a roomful of celebrity friends, medical experts, businessmen and journalists will outshine even the one he made to his Barcelona squad before they successfully lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1997.

 

Sir Bobby is calling on his fellow North Easterners to dig deep and raise money to equip a new cancer research centre being built at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

 

He hopes the region’s famed generosity will quickly help reach the target of £500,000 for a state-of-the-art laboratory, consulting rooms, beds, computers and other equipment for the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre due to open this October.

 

But typically for a man who has given 110% all his life, he has no intention of resting on his laurels once he has hit the half million mark.

 

He wants sufferers from this region to enjoy the best treatment and chance of survival possible. Ultimately he dreams of his newly launched Sir Bobby Robson Foundation funding a North East developed cancer cure – even though it would come too late to save his own life.

 

Having successfully battled cancer four times, the 75-year-old was 12 months ago diagnosed with inoperable tumours to both lungs. A cocktail of chemotherapy and drugs is currently controlling this latest bout of the disease. But Sir Bobby candidly admits it is a matter of when rather than if.

 

Now faced with his own mortality, he wants to leave behind more than memories of an inspired football career that saw him turn out as a player for Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and England, and bring back both the FA and Uefa cups to Ipswich during his time as manager with the East Anglian club.

 

The knowledge that in the long-term cash raised in his name could spare future generations of North East cancer victims the pain and suffering he has had to endure five times in the past 15 fears, brings a crusading fire to his eyes.

 

“I’m in my 76th year. I’ve had a fantastic sporting life, but I’ve had cancer five times. None of my four brothers has had cancer. I keep saying I’ve had their share. But I consider myself lucky. I may have had cancer five times but thanks to the wonderful treatment I have had through the NHS my life has been saved.

 

“Now it’s time I paid them back, and I want to do this through the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, initially by raising in excess of £500,000 to equip the new cancer trials unit at the Freeman. We want the North East to have the best state-of-the-art unit not just in England, but in Europe.

 

“We have some very clever people working here in the North East in what is a very difficult field, but I am hopeful that with time and money those people will find a cancer cure that will help save lives. At least a third of everybody in England – that’s 20 million people – will at some stage be affected by cancer. That’s one in every three.

 

“Just think how fantastic it would be if we could find a cure for cancer here in the North East that would not only save the lives of North East people, but sufferers worldwide. I shall be remembered for what I achieved in football. But the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the cancer trials unit is the legacy I want to leave to the people of the North East. If I can raise as much money as possible, then part of my life will have been used in a better way.”

 

Sir Bobby looks weary, and with good reason. He has spent the last three hours in a foundation meeting at Newcastle’s Copthorne Hotel, and it has taken its toll. “I have days when I don’t feel very well, like today.

 

“There isn’t much I can do about it other than to keep fighting. You have to be positive. I could spend my time moaning and complaining, but I’m not one of those people. If you are prepared to fight then I am a great believer you can overcome. I know I am going to die, but then we all die eventually. The time will come when I won’t win every battle, but my fighting spirit has seen me through this far.”

 

He has also enjoyed an extraordinary run of good fortune – if such a thing can exist in this situation – as far as his various cancers are concerned. For Sir Bobby should have died long ago. In 1992 he overcame bowel cancer, the same disease that claimed the life of World Cup winner Bobby Moore.

 

“Then three years later he was diagnosed with an extremely rare and deadly form of malignant melanoma after his wife, Elsie, forced him to see his doctor about an ongoing sinus problem.

 

“They came back to tell me I had a melanoma in my nose,” Sir Bobby recalls. ”It’s very rare, only a 2% chance of getting it. I had no idea I had it. If Elsie hadn’t made me go to see the doctor I never would have known until it was too late. I was told I needed an operation yesterday and if nothing was done I would be dead by the end of the football season. Elsie saved my life.”

 

In a complicated operation surgeons removed the tumour, leaving a hole in the roof of his mouth which he has to fill with a rubber plug.

 

The melanoma may have been removed but its effects have come back to haunt Sir Bobby. Rogue cells found their way into his lungs and his brain. In May 2006 he had a tumour the size of a golf ball removed from his right lung after a routine X-ray of his ribs following a skiing accident picked up a shadow. Again, Sir Bobby had known nothing was wrong.

 

Three months later Sir Bobby was again back in hospital after being taken ill at an Ipswich Town home game. “I developed a violent twitch on my face. I felt well and couldn’t understand what was happening. I turned to Elsie to say something and couldn’t speak. I thought, ‘My God, I’ve had a stroke.’ I nudged Elsie and she got me out of the ground. Within 10 minutes the twitching had stopped and I could talk again. I had X-rays and a head scan and 20 minutes later the doctor came back and said, ‘Can I have a private word? Unfortunately the scan isn’t normal. You have a tumour in your brain.’

 

“I said, ‘Do you know what you’re talking about? I’m at a football match, I’m enjoying it and now you’re telling me I have a brain tumour!”

 

Back in Newcastle Sir Bobby was admitted to the General Hospital where a grape-sized growth was cut out. At the same time he suffered a haemorrhage of the brain, similar to a stroke. Paralysed down the left side, it was assumed Sir Bobby would never walk again. But he has got himself back on his feet, although he has been left partially paralysed.

 

“I survived that, although no-one knows how I lived. Most people say goodbye and they bury them,” Sir Bobby adds with a laugh. ”

 

Now regularly attending for scans, in February 2007 nodules were found in both his lungs. “Unfortunately, these are inoperable. I’m on chemotherapy to control their growth, and it seems to be working at the moment. Hopefully they will remain docile.”

 

His treatment has brought him into contact with Dr Ruth Plummer, senior lecturer in medical oncology and an honorary consultant at Newcastle General and soon to be the new director of the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre.

 

It is she who has set Sir Bobby off on his money raising mission. “She told me she needed to raise some money for a good cause. I said, ‘What is it?’ She said, ‘To kit out a cancer research centre we are moving to next October.’ Ruth explained the unit was already there, that the NHS was going to pay for its running, but that there wasn’t a penny to kit it out.

 

“The task of raising the money had been left to Ruth and her colleague Professor Hilary Calvert. I was appalled. How could two people with responsible, full-time jobs find the time to raise that sort of money? Ruth asked me if I knew anyone who would be willing to contribute.

 

“I had a chat with one or two people and out of that the foundation has been born. I’ve never tackled anything like this. I’ve taken England to Brazil, taken football teams to cup finals and won and fought cancer for 15 years, but I’ve never tried to raise money for anything like this. But I have had wonderful treatment here in the North East, and the people of the North have supported me throughout my life. I couldn’t not respond to Ruth’s request and I’m proud she had the guts to ask me for help.

 

“I have the time now because I’m not 100% involved with professional football to do something gracious and commendable for other people and for the North East. I’m proud of that, and proud of the way I feel about that.”

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Hospitality Packages Available

 

Calling all fans of Sir Bobby Robson.

 

On the 26th July we are going to give Sir Bobby a true night to remember by playing an England V Germany Legends match in his honour and in aid of his cancer charity. Many of his 1990 England team are taking on the German players from the Italia 90 Semi Finals. They will be joined by football greats from England and Newcastle in a full international match, which will hopefully give Sir Bobby the win he deserves.

 

In addition to the match Sir Bobby is going to receive a lifetime merit award from UEFA, a guard of honour featuring all of his colleagues, players, managers and rivals, a rendition of Nessun Dorma by our 3 Tenors and then just before kick off, the players, guests and YOU will all stand as one to applaud the great man and honour his life and career.

 

Hospitality in an Executive Suite of St. James' Park - £50.00 per adult, £25.00 per child. Package includes 2 course Hot Fork Buffet, Match Programme and Team Sheet, Cash Bar facility

 

Hospitality in an Executive Box at St. James' Park - £75.00 per person . Package includes a 2 Course Meal, Private Box with own viewing balcony, Programme ,Team Sheet and cash bar facility. Boxes of 8 & 10 are available.

 

For further details of our Hospitality Packages, please contact Karen Waugh on 0191 2018682 or email karen.waugh@nufc.co.uk.

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Hospitality Packages Available

 

Calling all fans of Sir Bobby Robson.

 

On the 26th July we are going to give Sir Bobby a true night to remember by playing an England V Germany Legends match in his honour and in aid of his cancer charity. Many of his 1990 England team are taking on the German players from the Italia 90 Semi Finals. They will be joined by football greats from England and Newcastle in a full international match, which will hopefully give Sir Bobby the win he deserves.

 

In addition to the match Sir Bobby is going to receive a lifetime merit award from UEFA, a guard of honour featuring all of his colleagues, players, managers and rivals, a rendition of Nessun Dorma by our 3 Tenors and then just before kick off, the players, guests and YOU will all stand as one to applaud the great man and honour his life and career.

 

Hospitality in an Executive Suite of St. James' Park - £50.00 per adult, £25.00 per child. Package includes 2 course Hot Fork Buffet, Match Programme and Team Sheet, Cash Bar facility

 

Hospitality in an Executive Box at St. James' Park - £75.00 per person . Package includes a 2 Course Meal, Private Box with own viewing balcony, Programme ,Team Sheet and cash bar facility. Boxes of 8 & 10 are available.

 

For further details of our Hospitality Packages, please contact Karen Waugh on 0191 2018682 or email karen.waugh@nufc.co.uk.

 

Does anybody know how much was raised through the charity match?

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WOW !!!! What a fantastic reception I received at St James' Park on Sunday 26th July. It was one of the best night's of my life and I cant believe how many people turned up to support me and my charity. The atmosphere was amazing and the England win, thank goodness, was well deserved !!! I would personally like to to take this opportunity to thank everyone who bought a ticket for the football match or indeed anyone who has made a donation to my charity. As I keep saying, "every penny counts".

 

I thought the fans were really respectful when the German national anthem was played and they gave the german team a well deserved ovation at the end of the game, so I thank them for that. I thought it was a very competitive match and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. After all, it was all about having fun and raising money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

 

I would like to personally thank Lester Holcombe and Ciaran Kennedy of Toast Events for staging this magnificent event in my honour. I would also like to thank ITV for the wonderful programme they produced and obviously I could not have done this without the help of Newcastle United and their wonderful staff. Every player and celebrity who was involved in yesterday's match has my absolute gratitude because without them agreeing to take part it would never have happened.

 

I have to say that the people of the North East "did me proud", so thank you all again from the bottom of my heart.

 

I will let you know in due course how much the match has raised for the charity and I will keep you posted of any future charity events taking place.

 

Thank you for your support.

 

Sir Bobby Robson CBE

 

:)

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SIR BOBBY ROBSON FOUNDATION

 

***PRESS RELEASE***

 

ALAN SHEARER TO BECOME PATRON

OF THE SIR BOBBY ROBSON FOUNDATION

 

 

Alan will be formally welcomed to his new role by Sir Bobby’s widow Lady Elsie and sons Paul, Andrew and Mark, who made the request for help following Sir Bobby’s death in July.

 

Alan says: “It was a huge honour for me to be asked by Sir Bobby’s family to join his charity as patron and I was very happy to accept.

 

“Bobby’s death left a gaping hole in football and within the north east as a region. He’s a man I admired greatly and I know I’ll continue to miss him in the coming years.

 

“He is completely irreplaceable and the esteem he was held in became very apparent after he passed away. The outpouring of affection and respect for him was phenomenal and it’s not something we are likely to see again.”

 

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation’s initial target of £500,000 was required to equip a cancer trials research centre at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

 

Incredibly this figure was reached just seven weeks after the charity launch and the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre opened in February this year to treat patients from across the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria. It offers patients access to early trials and potential new treatments and is at the forefront of the fight against cancer.

 

Alan adds: “Sadly nobody goes through their lives unaffected by cancer and I’m proud that there are experts working towards a cure for the disease here in the North East.

 

“I was there at the launch of the Sir Bobby Cancer Trials Research Centre and it was a very moving occasion. Bobby was, quite rightly, incredibly proud of what his charity had achieved and I’m just as proud now to be asked to help carry on his fight against cancer.”

 

Lady Elsie says: “Speaking for both my family and the charity we’re extremely happy and grateful that Alan has agreed to become patron for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. We know how much effort he already puts into charitable work and it’s no small thing to agree a commitment to another good cause.

 

“Giving the experts the tools to fight against cancer is the legacy Bobby wanted to leave behind and thanks to Alan’s help we know that legacy will continue to grow.

 

“Bobby would have whole-heartedly approved of Alan’s patronage. The two of them had great mutual respect and his involvement feels very appropriate.”

 

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation launched in March 2008 and focuses on the clinical trials of cancer drugs and treatments. In addition to equipping a trials unit, it has also funded a specialist research nurse and doctor and provided a children’s waiting area at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care.

 

 

Please note that prior permission to use Sir Bobby's name or that of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in any fundraising event is required, as this allows the charity to monitor fundraising activities held in its name and provides assurance to the general public that the project is legitimate.

 

Whist we actively encourage individuals to fundraise on behalf of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, we wish to ensure that they receive the appropriate advice on current fundraising legislation and acceptable practices. We will also supply sponsorship forms where required.

 

A number of local companies offer a Matched Giving Scheme to its employees who fundraise for a registered charity. This can often increase the sums raised by as much as 50%. Please take advantage of this facility if it is available, as it provides the charity with valuable support.

 

Please contact Pauline Buglass on 0191 2137235 to discuss fundraising ideas.

 

www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.com

 

Shearer Interview

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Clip from interview with Gary Speed in The Telegraph

 

 

You are running the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday. Your first?

 

Yes, and I’m beginning to regret it. I wanted to keep fit and my wife’s done two marathons. I’m hoping to be done in 4½ hours – quicker than she did it in. If not, there will be plenty of ribbing.

 

As a footballer, I never minded running, but I haven’t trained as much as I would have liked. I’m running for the Bobby Robson Foundation. I had seven years at Newcastle United and Bobby did loads for me both as a footballer and a human being.

 

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/otherspor...Gary-Speed.html

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