FOOTBALLING legend Alan Shearer has tackled a new challenge in aid of the charity founded by another Newcastle United hero.

The Magpies’ all-time leading goalscorer helped raffle a monster cake, to raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The draw was organised by the Fratelli restaurant in Ponteland, Northumberland.

The Italian restaurant commissioned the 10kg panettone – a cake traditionally eaten in Italy at Christmas – from a master baker in the Mediterranean country.

The foundation was launched in 2008 by the former Newcastle and England manager to help fund the early detection and treatment of cancer, as well as clinical trials of anti-cancer drugs.

It has raised more than £3.9m towards such work.

And former England captain Shearer is the charity’s patron.

Staff in Verona worked flat out for two days to create the cake.

Panettone is made from sweet, bread-style dough, mixed with candied fruit, and served warm or cold with cream or custard. Fratelli’s co-owners, Paul Bernardelli and Fabrizio Saba, arranged for the panettone to be shipped to the United Kingdom where it was given pride of place in their restaurant.

They sold 781 £1 tickets for the draw and all the raffle money was presented to the foundation.

Paul Bernardelli said: “We’ve a long association with the Bobby Robson Foundation and enjoy finding ways in which we can support it. cc

Fabrizio added: “We think it is a good charity to follow.

“Sir Bobby Robson was a customer of ours when he was Newcastle manager and the other premises in town so we try to support it.” Pauline Buglass, head of fundraising for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, said: “We’re very grateful to Fratelli and everyone who contributed to raising funds through the raffle.

“We really appreciate the support Alan gives the foundation as a patron and it was very fitting that he drew the winning ticket.”

This cake really was a masterpiece and we hope the lucky winner is enjoying every bite