Sir Bobby helps out sisters with tribute to their mum

May 9 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

THIRTY years ago this month Sir Bobby Robson brought the FA Cup “home” to Langley Park cricket club in County Durham.

As manager of Ipswich Town, he had masterminded victory for the unfashionable Suffolk club against the mighty Arsenal at Wembley on May 6, 1978, and brought the cup back to the mining village where he grew up to parade in front of the proud locals.

Among those present was Jean Taylor, and her daughters Geraldine, five, and Debra, 12.

Next month Sir Bobby is due to return to the cricket club to start a sponsored walk organised by Geraldine and Debra in memory of their mother, who died of cancer five years ago at the age of 61.

Funds raised will go to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, the official charity for the Freeman Hospital’s cancer research arm in Newcastle.

The sisters, now Geraldine Raggatt, 35, and Debra Robey, 42, have called the six-mile walk from Langley Park Cricket Club Bobby’s Walk, and Geraldine said: “We were delighted when Sir Bobby agreed to start the walk. He is an inspiration to everybody.

“He invited us to his home to meet both him and Lady Elsie, they were charming.

“It seemed appropriate to start the walk from the cricket club because Debra and I both remember being taken there to see Bobby and the cup. He spoke to everybody, including my mother, who was thrilled to meet him. I was just a little girl sitting on her knee at the time!”

Their mother Jean started Crescent Homecare, a domiciliary care agency in Langley Park in 1997, which her two daughters now run.

Debra said: “We deliver care to people who have suffered from strokes, cancer patients and the elderly infirm. Very sadly, after six years of caring for other people, our mother lost her battle to cancer.”

Geraldine, of Davis Crescent, Langley Park, added: “I can remember her having chemotherapy in the morning and then caring for other cancer sufferers in the afternoon. She was a marvellous person and we have learned everything we know from her.

“She would have been thrilled by Sir Bobby starting the walk in her honour.”

Sir Bobby is due to start the walk at 11am on Sunday, June 1. To take part, contact Geraldine or Debra on (0191) 373-1538.

We were delighted when Sir Bobby agreed to start the walk. He is an inspiration to everybody