Beckham backs Sir Bobby's fund

May 7 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

SUPERSTAR David Beckham is the latest celebrity to back Sir Bobby Robson’s cancer research foundation.

The LA Galaxy winger is helping create the auction prize of a lifetime for one lucky fan to meet him and see his team play in the States.

It comes ahead of a fundraising gala dinner at St James’s Park on Friday in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The appeal, to fund the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre in Newcastle, has now hit £400,000 – £100,000 shy of his target.

Sir Bobby, 75, said: “I have great respect for David, both for his achievements on the pitch and the way he conducts himself off it.

“His kind offer of support will, I’m sure, prove to be one of the most popular auction prizes on Friday. Much more popular than dinner with me, which is one of the other prizes on offer!

“To have raised this much money in just five weeks is unbelievable. There have been some big donations that have really helped bump up the total but the amount of smaller donations has really touched me.”

The fund has been set up to develop the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the new Northern Centre for Cancer Care, in the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle. It will look into specialist treatment which will initially focus on the early detection and treatment of cancer and will also help support clinical trials of promising new treatments.

Friday’s Sir Bobby Robson Foundation Dinner is being hosted by Newcastle United and other auction prizes on offer include dinner for eight with Sir Bobby and Lady Elsie in their home.

Guests for the night include Newcastle United chairman Mike Ashley, manager Kevin Keegan and a host of footballing legends including Sir Bobby Charlton and Alan Shearer.

Wallsend-born star Sting has also donated his black base Fender Stratocaster with his signature embedded in the fret board and also on the outer casing, with proceeds being split with Show Racism the Red Card.

Seats are still available for the dinner, priced £75 per person, from (0191) 201-8525.