Sir Bobby Robson Foundation
Founded25 March 2008 (2008-03-25)
FounderSir Bobby Robson
Dr Ruth Plummer, Northern Institute for Cancer Research
TypeUK registered charity
(Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Charity, No. 1057213)
Location
Area served
North East England
Key people
Patrons:
Alan Shearer
Steve Gibson
Mick Mills
Niall Quinn
Robbie Elliott
Endowment£2.5m (September 2010 total)
Websitesirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is a British cancer research charity which raises money to fund the early detection and treatment of cancer, and clinical trials of anti-cancer drugs. Based in the North East of England, the Foundation was launched on 25 March 2008 in the name of Sir Bobby Robson, himself a cancer sufferer five times since 1992, and who died of the disease on 31 July 2009.[1][2][3][4][5]

Activities

The initial goal of the Foundation was to raise £500,000 to fund equipment for a cancer research centre being built in the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne,[3] to be named The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre.[6] Once this was secure, the Foundation would turn its attention to funding other cancer related projects in the North East of England.[6][7][8] The Foundation raised £260,000 in just over two weeks.[7]

By November 2008 it had raised over £1 million, double the initial funding target of £500,000 set in February, which itself was passed in just eight weeks.[3][9] By 15 October 2009, just over 6 weeks after Sir Bobby's death and nearly 19 months after its launch, the charity had raised over £2 million.[10] It passed the £2.5m mark in September 2010.[11]

The Foundation had its origins in a wish by Sir Bobby on the eve of his 75th birthday to leave behind a legacy for future cancer victims in the North East and give something back to the NHS in return for the care he had received in his own battles against cancer.[4][8][12] In February 2007 Robson had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and had begun chemotherapy treatment to keep it under control.[2] Robson had initially been reluctant to use his name to raise money, but did so invoking the Geordie idiom, "Shy bairns (children) get nothing".[13]

The foundation is a UK registered charity, and is based in Swalwell village, Tyne and Wear.[14] The Foundation operates in an area stretching north to Northumbria, south to Sunderland, and west to Cumbria, and supports the activities of the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.[15] The Foundation is registered with the Charity Commission as the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Charity[15]

The idea for the foundation came about after Sir Bobby was told by his doctor that an upcoming NHS cancer research centre had no funds in place for equipment.[8] This centre was the Early Cancer Trials Unit in the Northern Centre for Cancer Care (NCCC),[6][7][8][9] one of the largest cancer centres in the United Kingdom.[9][16] The unit was to be part of the consolidation of the NCCC into a new £80 million centre being built at the Freeman Hospital.[17][18] Parts of the new NCCC site opened in October 2008, and it was due to be fully open by early 2009.[16][17]

The 28 December 2008 football match at St James' Park between Newcastle United and Liverpool was designated the Sir Bobby Robson day by the Newcastle United Supporters Club, celebrating the man and raising funds for the foundation.[12][19][20]

The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre part of the NCCC was opened on 20 February 2008, staffed by academics from Newcastle University, and medics from the NHS Trust.[21] Robson opened the centre two days after his 76th birthday, with a surprise 15-minute speech, having been expected to attend the ceremony but not speak.[22] In front of guests including Fabio Capello, Alan Shearer and Peter Beardsley, Robson vowed to carry on fundraising.[22]

By the time of the research centre's opening, the Foundation had raised £1.2m. In addition to equipping the research centre, further fundraising by the Foundation had enabled the funding of two 3-year training posts to be supported by the centre, one being a research nursing position, and the other a fellowship doctor post.[23] The Foundation has also funded other projects. This has included the commitment to purchase a Biomarker Generator, an ultra-compact cyclotron from Tennessee-based ABT Molecular Imaging. The first of its kind in Europe and second in the world, it was to be housed in a new clean-room facility built in the School of Chemistry at Newcastle University.[24][25] It has also raised money for relevant equipment and building works at the Royal Victoria Infirmary hospital.[26][27]

On 24 January 2009 it was announced the famous Italia '90 World Cup semi-final loss against West Germany, in which Robson's England team were beaten 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw, would be replayed as the Sir Bobby Robson Trophy match in aid of the Foundation. It was held on 26 July at St James' Park, and would feature players from the original World Cup squads and other special guests, with the winning team being awarded the Sir Bobby Robson Trophy.[28][29][30]

Sir Bobby died on 31 July 2009, shortly after attending the tribute match. At the time of his death, the Foundation had raised £1.6m.[31] Donations totalling £156,000 were received by the Foundation in the 18 days following his death.[32]

The Foundation benefited from special commemorative kits and scarves produced for the Championship match between Newcastle United F.C. and Ipswich Town F.C., two of Sir Bobby's former clubs, held on 26 September 2009 at Ipswich's Portman Road ground.[33][34] After the game, which Newcastle won 4–0, the shirts were signed by the players and auctioned individually on eBay. The auction raised £31,187 for the Foundation, who pledged it to the building of a teenage cancer unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.[26][35][36]

On 15 October 2009, coinciding with the Foundation reaching the £2m mark, it was announced that Alan Shearer was to be the Foundation's new patron, after being asked by Sir Bobby's family to carry on his work.[10] This was followed with the appointment of three further patrons during 2010. Steve Gibson, chairman of Middlesbrough F.C., Mick Mills, Robson's former captain at Ispwich Town F.C., and Niall Quinn, chairman of Sunderland F.C.[37][38][39]

In November 2009 the Foundation was to launch a DVD titled a 'Knight To Remember', profiling Sir Bobby's life, including his last interviews and contributions from friends, family, and the world of football, with 75% of proceeds going to the Foundation.[40] The DVD was to feature a version of Blaydon Races sung by Jimmy Nail, Kevin Whately and Tim Healy of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet fame, with an additional verse written in dedication of Sir Bobby.[41]

And now a word for Bobby Robson, hero of the Toon; A football man, a gentleman, who never let we doon; A friendly word, a cheery smile, and brave right to the end; We're proud to say your one of wors, Sir Bob... Auf Wiedersehen[40]

On 29 November 2009 the Foundation was to be presented with the John Fotheringham Award by the North East branch of the Football Writers' Association at their annual dinner.[42][43]

Marking the occasion of gaining the support of the East Coast train operating company, the express franchise for Scotland – Newcastle – London routes, in March 2011 Robson's widow Elsie and Alan Shearer named one of its locomotives Sir Bobby Robson.[44][45] The Foundation has also been promoted by the local bus company Go North East, known for their individual branding of routes, who from June 2010 branded four buses used on the 30-minute frequency X25 express, which runs between Langley Park where Robson lived, and Newcastle City Centre (Eldon Square bus station), with Foundation information and an image of Robson.[46][47][48]

See also

References

  1. "Football legend Robson dies at 76". BBC News. 31 July 2009. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
  2. 1 2 Jane Hall (25 March 2008). "Sir Bobby admits time is running out, but battles on for charity". The Journal. Retrieved 29 December 2008. 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...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....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...Three months later Sir Bobby was again back in hospital after being taken ill at an Ipswich Town home game...was admitted to the [Newcastle] 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...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."
  3. 1 2 3 "Sir Bobby in cancer cash pledge". BBC News. 16 February 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2008. Football legend Sir Bobby Robson has pledged to devote his time to helping in the fight against cancer...plans to raise £500,000 for his new charity. Sir Bobby who lives in County Durham, celebrates his 75th birthday next week. The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trial And Research Centre will be at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital...Sir Bobby said: "I am going to try and raise a lot of money, £500,000, for a cancer research centre, which is very much needed in the North East..."So I am going to help raise this money and give my name to this charity"
  4. 1 2 "Sir Bobby launches cancer charity". BBC News. 25 March 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2008. Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson has launched a charitable foundation to help in the fight against cancer..."I think I might be remembered for what I did in football. But the legacy I would like to leave behind is what I tried to do to help people with cancer live longer."
  5. "Welcome to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation". Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. n.d. Retrieved 29 December 2008. Sir Bobby's big goal is to fight cancer – in his own battle with the disease and by creating a charitable foundation. The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation will focus on the early detection and treatment of cancer and the clinical trials of new drugs that will eventually beat it. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  6. 1 2 3 "Our Goal". Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. n.d. Retrieved 29 December 2008. Through The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Sir Bobby's Big Goal is a campaign (hopefully the first of many) to support the new Early Cancer Trials Unit at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, currently being built at the Freeman Hospital and to be named The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre. The money is urgently needed to fully equip the unit with treatment beds, treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art laboratory, consulting rooms and offices (the building costs are being met by the NHS Trust and many of the staff in the unit will be funded by Cancer Research UK)...Once the Foundation has raised sufficient funds to set up the Centre, all additional money will go towards cancer related projects in the North East. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  7. 1 2 3 Liz Walker (24 April 2008). "Stars to turn out for Sir Bobby's fundraising dinner". Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 29 December 2008. Its first goal is to raise the money urgently required to set up the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the new Northern Centre for Cancer Care. The money raised will fund dedicated research facilities including a 12-bed unit with treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art laboratory and consulting facilities, all of which is being constructed by the NHS Trust at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. Once the foundation has raised sufficient funds to set up the centre, all additional money will go towards cancer-related projects in the North East. The charity has raised more than £260,000 in just over two weeks,
  8. 1 2 3 4 Jane Hall (25 March 2008). "Sir Bobby admits time is running out, but battles on for charity". The Journal. Retrieved 29 December 2008. 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...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..."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"...His [2007 cancer] 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 couldn't not respond to Ruth's request"..."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."
  9. 1 2 3 Paul James (27 December 2008). "Sir Bobby to reach goal as centre opens up". The Journal. Retrieved 29 December 2008. Sir Bobby Robson took just eight weeks to raise half a million pounds to kit out the centre...Monday, January 19, has been pencilled in as the opening day for the [Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre], when the doors and corridors linking it to the other cancer facilities at the Freeman will finally be opened up. All based within a new building at the Freeman, the Northern Centre for Cancer Care (NCCC) has provided Newcastle with one of the largest and most advanced cancer centres in the country.
  10. 1 2 "Robson cancer fund at £2m: Shearer". UK Press Association. 15 October 2009. Archived from the original on 15 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  11. "Sir Bobby Robson Foundation reaches £2.5m mark". BBC News. 16 September 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  12. 1 2 "Bobby Robson celebrated at match". BBC News. 28 December 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2008. A day of celebration is taking place in Newcastle for Sir Bobby Robson...Organised by the Newcastle United Supporters' Club, fans will sing a rendition of 'Robson's Wonderland'...A collection for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation will also take place on Sunday...Sir Bobby said he wanted to repay the NHS for the care he had received since he was first diagnosed with cancer in 1992.
  13. Caulkin, George (26 March 2008). "North East unites behind Sir Bobby Robson charity bid". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2009. [Robson] winces at the thought of the charity carrying his name, but acknowledges the opportunity that it presents. "There's a saying from my part of the world, which I don't really like, but maybe it's appropriate – shy bairns get nothing", he said...the process of raising quite a bit of money isn't easy, because it's not easy asking people for money, is it? The problem is, if I don't ask, I don't get, so I've got to take the bull by the horns".
  14. "Welcome to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation". Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. n.d. Retrieved 29 December 2008. Registered charity number 1057213 The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Metropolitan House, Swalwell, NE16 3AS
  15. 1 2 "1057213 – NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE HOSPITALS NHS CHARITY". Charity Commission. n.d. Retrieved 29 December 2008. Activities: The charity complements NHS resources in the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The charity awards grants for the purchase of service-enhancing equipment, improvements to patient amenities, enhancement to staff facilities and funding for research and development. Where it operates: Cumbria, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne city, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, Sunderland
  16. 1 2 Helen Rae (14 October 2008). "New centre leads way in cancer care". Evening Chronicle (via FindArticles.com). Retrieved 29 December 2008. ...Northern Centre for Cancer Care has opened its doors to its first radiotherapy patient...The Northern Centre for Cancer Care is one of the largest centres for cancer in the UK..."The centre has the most beautiful building..."...Former Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson, who is battling cancer for the fifth time, donated pounds 500,000 from his charity to raise money for research at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care
  17. 1 2 Jon Land (5 December 2008). "Top national award for Newcastle hospital building". 24dash.com. Retrieved 29 December 2008. A new £80 million world class centre for cancer care and renal services has won a prestigious national design award – even before it has fully opened its doors to patients. The Northern Centre for Cancer Care and Renal Services, based at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle...The centre, which fully opens for patient care early next year... {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  18. Alastair Craig (29 December 2008). "Sir Bobby Robson honoured by fans of NUFC". Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 29 December 2008. Work will be based at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the new Northern Centre for Cancer Care, which is under construction at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
  19. Dan Warburton (19 December 2008). "NUFC fans urged to fly the flag for Sir Bobby Robson". The Journal. Retrieved 29 December 2008. NEWCASTLE fans are planning to hold a day of celebrations to fly the flag for former manager Sir Bobby Robson. The Newcastle United Supporters Club is hoping to organise a city-wide event in the run-up to United's clash with Liverpool on December 28. The group also wants to use the day to raise cash for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, set up earlier this year
  20. "Events, Honouring a very special man". Newcastle United Supporters Club. n.d. Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2008. With Christmas approaching we can think of no better time for the club, the fans and the city of Newcastle to come together in one united voice and say: "Merry Christmas Sir Bobby Robson". Newcastle United Supporters Club is calling on everyone who loves the man and the manager to turn out on 28/12/08 and pay tribute to the Black and White Knight.
  21. "Sir Bobby Robson launches new cancer trials research centre" (Press release). Newcastle University. 20 February 2009. Archived from the original on 22 February 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2009. The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre will be staffed by academics from the Northern Institute for Cancer Research at Newcastle University alongside medics at the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust.
  22. 1 2 "Brave Sir Bobby Robson opens cancer research centre". The Times. London. 20 February 2009. Archived from the original on 15 April 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2009. Sir Bobby Robson has made an inspiring, heartfelt and funny speech at the launch of a £500,000 research centre named after him. Fabio Capello, the England coach, joined him at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle to hand over the FA's donation of £75,000 to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which has already raised £1.2 million...Robson was not expected to speak at the launch, but made a 15-minute speech about his battle...Alan Shearer and Peter Beardsley, both former Newcastle players, were there to see Robson blow out candles on his cake two days after he turned 76....Robson, accompanied by his wife Lady Elsie, vowed to carry on fundraising, adding: "You have been absolutely magnificent with all your donations. We can raise a bit more, can't we?"
  23. Stewart, Rob (21 February 2009). "Fabio Capello hails 'courageous' Bobby Robson as foundation opens". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 23 April 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2009. Equipped through donations to his charity, the new centre will be at the forefront of research into cancer. So far his foundation have raised more than £1.2 million. Professor Ruth Plummer, an oncologist, says:..."because of...ongoing donations and fundraising efforts, we've also been able to fund a training research nurse post with a special interest in skin cancer and a senior training fellowship doctor. The three-year posts will be based in the Cancer Trials Research Centre and will give us even more opportunity to help treat patients and develop our clinical trials and cancer research."
  24. "New Cancer Equipment Is First of Its Kind in Europe". Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. 29 November 2010. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  25. "New cancer equipment in the North-East is the first of its kind in Europe" (Press release). Newcastle University School of Chemistry. 29 November 2010. Archived from the original on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  26. 1 2 "Sir Bobby Newcastle shirt sales aid teenage cancer unit". BBC News. 13 January 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  27. "Sir Bobby Robson Foundation pays for £20,000 microscope". BBC News. 6 October 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  28. Stewart, Rob (24 April 2009). "England Italia '90 team to re-stage Germany semi in aid of Sir Bobby Robson charity". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2009. Sir Bobby Robson is hoping to settle an old score after England and Germany players who contested the heart-breaking 1990 World Cup semi-final agreed to re-stage the epic game to boost his fund-raising efforts.
  29. "Sir Bobby Charity Game @ SJP". Newcastle United F.C. 24 April 2009. Archived from the original on 26 April 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2009.
  30. "England v Germany rematch to honour Sir Bobby Robson". Evening Chronicle. 24 April 2009. Archived from the original on 11 January 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2009. ...the match, which will take place on July 26 at St James' Park...As well as reuniting 1990 England players, Sir Bobby is also planning on calling on some other famous guests to add to his team. He said: "I'm very grateful to my former players who are coming up to Newcastle to help us raise money for my charity. I'm also very appreciative of the efforts of the German players who have so much further to travel.
  31. Caulkin, George (1 August 2009). "Sir Bobby Robson's legacy lives on in charity". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 20 September 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  32. "Sir Bobby Robson foundation total soars". News Guardian. 18 September 2009. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  33. "League allows Robson tribute kits". BBC Sport. 18 September 2009. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  34. "Sir Bobby scarves sell out in 24 hours". Evening Star. 18 September 2009. Archived from the original on 17 March 2007. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  35. "Sir Bobby shirts raise £31,000". Shields Gazette. 2 November 2009. Archived from the original on 4 November 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  36. "Sir Bobby shirts raise thousands". BBC News. 2 November 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  37. "Steve Gibson Becomes Teesside Patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation". Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. 15 February 2010. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  38. "Ipswich Legend Mick Mills Becomes Suffolk's Patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation". Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. 23 April 2010. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  39. "Niall Quinn Becomes A Patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation". Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. 5 November 2010. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  40. 1 2 "Auf Wiedersehen Pet stars sing Blaydon Races for Sir Bobby Robson". The Journal. 4 November 2009. Archived from the original on 7 November 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  41. "Auf Wiedersehen cast's charity song". Press Association. 4 November 2009. Archived from the original on 4 November 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  42. "Collins scoops writers award". Yahoo Eurosport. 4 November 2009. Archived from the original on 4 November 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  43. "Collins wins football writers' award". Shields Gazette. 4 November 2009. Archived from the original on 4 November 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  44. "Sir Bobby Robson name given to train". BBC News. 29 March 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  45. "East Coast Names Train Sir Bobby Robson" (Press release). East Coast Main Line Company. 29 March 2011. Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  46. The 2015 Auction organised by Ipswich Town supporter Gina Long from Suffolk was another great success for the SBR Foundation In the 2016 New years Honours List, Gina Long was made an MBE for her charity work. "Buses used to spread Sir Bobby Robson's cancer message". BBC News. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  47. "X25". Go North East. n.d. Archived from the original on 17 June 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  48. "Sir Bobby Robson Foundation Bus". Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. 14 July 2010. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
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