£30,000 donated to Sir Bobby Robson's charity

Aug 4 2009 by Alastair Craig, The Journal

OVER £30,000 in charity tributes to Sir Bobby Robson have been made since his death last Friday.

Hundreds of supporters flooded the website of the cancer foundation which bears his name in the minutes, in the hours and days after the football legend passed away.

Pledges have ranged from £10 to £500 and all came with a heart-rending message of thanks, a simple memory or a glowing tribute to the former Newcastle United and England manager.

The fundraising total recorded by the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation reached £1.64m last night – with over £30,000 added in the four days since Sir Bobby succumbed to cancer at the age of 76.

Among the messages left along with cash pledges, Kevin Stokes wrote: “He was the nicest man in football. He will be sadly missed.”

Newcastle supporter William Burley added: “Football has lost a great manager, a true gentleman and courageous fighter. Your memory will live on.”

Alan Aboud left: “Sir Bobby has been a real inspiration to me in all areas of life, and I am so sorry that he has passed away.”

And Matthew Higgins thanked Sir Bobby for his greatest football memory: “I’ll never forget the Italia ‘90 World Cup journey. We so nearly did it. God bless you.”

Donations came from across the country and the continent.

Zach Ward, an Ipswich fan, where Sir Bobby spent 14 years as manager and lifted the Uefa Cup, left the message: “As an Ipswich supporter I’m honoured you graced our club and our sport with your presence. A true gent.”