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