Sir Bobby’s charity tops the £1m mark

Oct 31 2008 by Neil McKay, The Journal

SIR Bobby Robson has a million reasons to be proud today, with the cancer charity set up by the 75-year-old topping the million-pound mark after just seven months.

The landmark figure was surpassed during The Night of the Knights fundraising extravaganza, when Sir Bobby was joined on stage by football legends Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton as well as Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall.

Guests included soccer stars past and present such as Alan Shearer, Steven Taylor, Michael Chopra, Bryan Robson and Marco Gabbiadini.

Olympic boxer Tony Jeffries, from Sunderland, Great North Run founder Brendan Foster and opera singer Graeme Danby were also amongst those in attendance at the event, at Rainton Meadows in Houghton-le-Spring.

Newcastle fan Mr Danby sang a song composed especially for Sir Bobby to the tune of the traditional Great Longbenton Leek, and also Roger Whittaker’s Durham Town. He said: “I wanted something that is light-hearted and full of fun, so I decided to adapt the lyrics to the Great Longbenton Leek, written by Eric Boswell.

“I was asked by Sir Bobby to sing Durham Town, which I readily agreed to do. It seemed appropriate considering he was born in Sacriston and brought up in nearby Langley Park. It’s an emotional night and I wanted to sing something light-hearted.”

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United manager and life-long friend of Sir Bobby, said: “He is an inspiration, he makes you feel good just being in his company.

“Nobody deserves to raise £1m for such a good cause as Sir Bobby. His courage in fighting cancer is a shining example to us all.”

And Simply Red star Mick Hucknall told The Journal he was appearing “to pay back Sir Bobby’s kindness”.

The Manchester United fan explained: “When Sir Bobby was manager of England during the 1990 World Cup in Italy, I was over there on holiday. I knew a couple of the England players. Sir Bobby was kindness itself, inviting me to the hotel for meals and so on. He is a good man and I wanted to repay that kindness.” Sir Bobby said: “To have a team of people like Sir Alex, Sir Bobby and Mick Hucknall joining us here on my home turf is just incredible.

“I’m looking forward to catching up with my old friends. My wife Elsie and I are big fans of live music, we’re excited by the entertainment lined up for the evening. I understand there will be everything from brass band music to opera, so there will be something for all tastes. They tell me the 1,000 tickets for this night sold out in a matter of days but that doesn’t surprise me. The people of this region are extremely generous and they also enjoy a good night out.”

Sir Bobby insisted he was feeling well, despite battling cancer for 15 years.

He said: “I have had some radiation, which made my hair fall out, but I am eating, sleeping and I am still enjoying watching football.

“And I am overwhelmed by the kindness of people. I have had them come up to me and hand over tenners, twenty pounds, and when I ask them their name and address they say, ‘Don’t worry’.”

Sir Bobby was first diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago, which he beat four times. The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has now raised double its initial target to raise £500,000 to kit out the Cancer Trials Research Centre at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

Page 2: Tributes to the ‘Grandfather of football’