Sir Bobby and friends step up for good causes
Aug 4 2008 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal
FAMILIES in the region put their best feet forward for Sir Bobby Robson yesterday. Sir Bobby launched the annual Walk in the Park fundraising event, a five-mile sponsored stroll around Newcastle’s Leazes Park.
The walk is now in its third year and Sir Bobby was there to motivate the crowds as they geared up to start.
For the last two years, the Walk in the Park has raised money for Newcastle Hospitals and local NHS charities and this year a number of walkers have nominated The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which is raising cash for a new cancer centre at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, as their chosen charity.
Sir Bobby said: “Our local hospitals and their staff are simply fantastic and anything we can do to help support them should be encouraged.
“I thought that if people can have the decency to come here and support my charity, then I should have the decency to turn up. You’ve got to give and take in this world.”
Speaking in the park with St James’s Park towering in the near distance, Sir Bobby, who is himself fighting cancer for the fifth time, added: “It’s a wonderful setting. I’ve never seen the stadium from this point of view, it’s always been from the inside.”
Among the charity walkers was teenager Caroline Graham, 13, from Blyth, who was taking part in the event in aid of the PICU the Penguin Fund, which aims to raise cash to buy an artificial heart machine for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Newcastle’s Freeman hospital. “It’s great to see so many people enjoying themselves. I’m happy that Sir Bobby Robson is here because he is helping to make the day a success.”
Friends, Edna Foster and Eileen Long, both 60 from Heaton, were walking in aid of Cancer Research. Mrs Foster said: “It is brilliant that Sir Bobby can be here today after going through so much himself. This is the first year we’ve been here and we’re happy to be involved in such a good cause.”
At the event 75-year-old Sir Bobby was accompanied by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Newcastle, Coun David and Mrs Margaret Wood.
Coun Wood said: “It’s fantastic that Sir Bobby could be with us today to lend his support.”
A number of charities benefited from the event.
Steve fights fears to help charity
NORTH East fundraiser Steve Wilkinson attempted a daring parasailing record in aid of cancer charity The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation this week.
Steve, who was diagnosed with spina bifida as a child, battled his fear of heights to parasail from the Humber Bridge to Paull, East Yorkshire, and while he successfully completed six miles, weather conditions prevented him achieving the eight mile record.
Steve said: "The day went fantastically well and the only drawback was the weather. The lack of wind was a problem and things didn’t exactly run to plan.
"It took only 25 minutes, as opposed to the predicted one hour for the eight miles. The boat had to travel much faster than originally intended to make up for the lack of wind, which made us all safety conscious so I wasn’t actually up there for as long as I thought I might be. Once underway, the views were beautiful and it was such a fantastic feeling."
Steve expects to contribute up to £2,000 for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which will go towards fighting cancer in the North East.
Steve said: "I have already raised £1,400 through pledges, sponsorships and contributions and I hope to raise more money by getting the shirt that I wore while parasailing signed by Sir Bobby, then to auction it off. I’m sure this will raise a decent amount.
"Overall it was a wonderful experience and I’m proud to have raised some funds for a very important North East charity."
Steve Wilkinson, 55, lives in Kingston Park, Newcastle and runs his own business, WheelchairSteve Limited. Steve campaigns for a more accessible world and for disabled people to have a more fulfilling lifestyle.
