FORMER Newcastle United player Robbie Elliott has enlisted the help of his famous friends to launch a bold bid to cycle across Europe in memory of his mentor Sir Bobby Robson.

Star of the screen Stephen Tompkinson lent his support to the charity cycle and revealed the former Newcastle defender had been helping him get fit for a new film.

Robbie has been sending training plans to the Wild at Heart actor at the set in South Africa in the build-up to filming his latest project, a film named Harrigan which documents the life of Tyneside detective Arthur McKenzie.

Mr McKenzie’s daughter, Kirsty Bell, has raised £1,267,000 to fund the film through investment from North East businesses and entrepreneurs.

And during the launch of the Robbie Elliott Foundation yesterday, Stephen revealed he had enlisted Robbie’s help to get in shape for the film.

The 46-year-old Stockton-born actor – and Middlesbrough fan – said: “We’ve just done a feature film with Tall Trees productions and I’m attempting to fill Arthur McKenzie’s beautiful and enormously capable shoes.

“He takes on a lot of bad guys and I had to be in good shape – I can confirm I will be wearing a vest, ladies – so I owe Robbie big time for his help.

“His training plans were making me do press-ups with claps in between. It was crazy. So I was keen to get behind his charity ride.

“For any neutral football fan, Sir Bobby Robson was well-loved and he was obviously an inspiration to Robbie. Sir Bobby’s affection transcends across the region. Anything that promotes the North East, whether it’s football or films, it’s incredibly important.”

Robbie, 38, who made his Premier League debut with United in 1991, revealed the launch of the Robbie Elliott Foundation at a star-studded event just yards from St James’ Park.

His first task will be to complete the trek across Europe in memory of Sir Bobby – the man who signed him for his boyhood club.

In less than 25 days he plans to cycle 3,500 miles, visiting eight clubs across four countries where Sir Bobby coached. Money raised will be split between the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Yesterday he said he wanted to raise as much as possible after his father George lost his battle with lung cancer before Robbie had earned his full debut.

Robbie said: “Sir Bobby signed me during my second stint at Newcastle. I have the utmost respect for him, you just have to look at the clubs he managed and the outcomes he achieved.

“It was an easy decision to do the fundraising in his memory. It was the perfect fit because I lost my dad through cancer and I’ve lost other family members and friends. It affects everyone which is hopefully why everyone will get behind the ride.”

Robbie launched the effort with the help of his friend and triathlete Phil Gray.

During the launch of the foundation yesterday, Sir Bobby’s son Andrew backed the charity bike ride and said he was overwhelmed by the support his dad’s charity had attracted.

Visit www.bikeforbobby.com or keep up to date @bikeforbobby on Twitter.

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