A FUNNY WAY TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE SIR BOBBY ROBSON FOUNDATION...

Mention the name Sir Bobby Robson and people will often smile remembering one of his many entertaining post-match comments.

Now local comedians are putting on an evening at the Hyena Comedy Club to raise money for his charity and they are hoping it will prove just as memorable.

‘A Night of the Old, New, Borrowed and Blue’ on Sunday 29 August is the brainchild of 22-year-old Lewis Chambers from Westerhope.

Lewis, a bank manager, is also a talented amateur comedian and is looking forward to testing himself on the Hyena’s stage, which has been graced by big names like Peter Kaye, Ross Noble, Jimmy Carr.

He says: “Obviously I have to be very professional in my day job so I enjoy the opportunity to be a bit daft in the evening.

“Myself and two other young amateur comedians will be performing and there will be a band too so it should be a great night. The Hyena isn’t charging us for the venue so every penny will go straight to Sir Bobby’s charity.

“I’m a big fan of Sir Bobby and like most people I was upset when he passed away. I’ve been really lucky as I haven’t been directly affected by cancer myself but I have friends who were not so fortunate.

“Nobody goes through life without being touched by this terrible disease in some way and we’re pleased to be doing our bit to help. We’re hoping to make as much as £2,000.”

More than 100 tickets have already been sold for ‘A Night of the Old, New, Borrowed and Blue.’

Lewis will be joined on stage by comedians Chris Dobinson and Mickey ’40 Quid’ Laidler and local band Cedarway.

Tickets are still available at £7 each from the Hyena Comedy Club on Leazes Park Road in Newcastle. Doors open at 7pm and the first act will be on stage around 9pm. For further information call 0191 232 6030 or visit www.thehyena.com.

QUEENS OWN SUPPORT FOR THE SIR BOBBY ROBSON FOUNDATION

With military precision, the Queens Own Yeomanry has raised almost £6,000 for north east cancer charity the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

D Squadron, based at Fenham Barracks in Newcastle, decided to raise the money after Staff Sergeant Peter Smith lost his wife to the disease in November.

Peter, from Seghill, is a civil enforcement officer for North Tyneside Council and has three children Toni, James and Jack.

He says: “My wife Angela was just 44 when she died through renal cancer and it all happened very suddenly.

“As a TA unit we’ve always done what we can to help north east charities and I was touched when Captain Ian Stobbs suggested we raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in Angela’s memory.

“I’m proud of my unit. It’s just like them to pull together like this to help other people.”

Peter’s unit underwent gruelling physical challenges known as the ‘triple six’ to raise the money for Sir Bobby’s charity. The ‘triple six’ consists of swimming six 100m lengths of the pool, a 6km bike ride and a six mile forced march with full kit weighing 25 kilos.

Sir Bobby’s son Andrew visited Fenham Barracks to say thank you in person for the D Squadron’s efforts. He says: “It was a real pleasure to meet such committed fund-raisers.

“Having lost dad only last year I can understand what Peter and his family are going through but it must be particularly hard to lose a loved one to cancer so suddenly.

“With so much happening with our armed forces overseas it speaks volumes that these men still have the drive to focus on helping a local charity like this. My family and I are very grateful for this donation and wish them all the very best for the future.”