‘WHIRLWIND’ SUPPORT FOR THE SIR BOBBY ROBSON FOUNDATION...

Snooker legend Jimmy ‘Whirlwind’ White will be in Newcastle this week to support the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation – exactly a year to the day after he said he would return.

Jimmy visited Newcastle to help the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation on 26 May last year and played eight frames of snooker at Westfield Social Club against the highest bidders in the room.

The event raised an incredible £5,000 for the regional cancer charity and Jimmy rounded off a hugely entertaining and successful evening by promising to come back again – and this time Tony Drago will be helping to wow the crowd with exhibition snooker.

Last year Jimmy, who has fought cancer himself, said: “For me to be able to help raise some money in Sir Bobby Robson’s name, that’s just fantastic. He was always doing things to help other people and it’s really an honour for me to be able to help out.

“I must have been to Newcastle hundreds of times. I’m a big Chelsea fan and I’ve seen maybe 15 or 20 games at St James’ Park. The atmosphere there is second to none.”

The charity snooker event is being held at Newcastle Labour Club on Leazes Park Road on Thursday 26 May and doors open at 6.30pm.

It includes five frames of exhibition snooker, presentation of the Newcastle and Gateshead Snooker League awards and then Jimmy and Tony will take on all-comers.

A limited number of tickets for this event remain available through organiser Michael Sheldon (tel 07905 816 288) or on the door and are priced £15.

CRAMLINGTON LADIES HIT BULLSEYE FOR CANCER CHARITIES

Cramlington Village Club’s Ladies Darts Team hit a bullseye for two cancer charities this week by raising £2,400 to split between Macmillan Cancer Support and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The money was raised in memory of Dot Severn, a club regular and member of the darts team, through a 10 hour sponsored darts marathon and raffles within the club.

This is the second time the ladies darts team has raised money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Newcastle United players Fabricio Coloccini and Jose Enrique supported their efforts by posing for photographs with the charity cheques and meeting club members.

Tracey Duffy, captain of the Ladies Darts Team, says: “This really has been a team effort and we’ve had great support from the men’s darts team, the club committee at the club and the local shops who donated raffle prizes.

“We lost a good friend to cancer and she loved her football so this is our way of remembering Dot. She would have loved the idea that Jose and Fabricio came along to the club to support our efforts.”

Club members Lorraine and Mark Weatherson invited Fabricio and Jose to Cramlington Village Club after becoming friendly with them though work. The Newcastle United stars were very happy to help out and also donated signed football shirts for the charity raffles.

After meeting the Ladies Darts Team and signing autographs Fabricio and Jose joined regulars playing bingo but on this occasion failed to score.

Pauline Buglass, head of fund-raising for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, says: “It was a pleasure to come back to Cramlington Village Club.

“The ladies here are wonderful and enthusiastic fund-raisers and we really appreciate their efforts. It’s a lovely and very positive way to keep their friend Dot’s memory alive.”

QUESTOON OF SPORT CHARITY NIGHT RAISES THOUSANDS

A charity night sponsored by NE FIT Magazine and Porsche/Bentley Newcastle and Go North East at St James Park has helped to raise thousands for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The ‘Questoon of Sport’ charity night was a ‘Question of Sport’ themed quiz with the teams captained by former Newcastle United player John Beresford and boxer Bradley Saunders from Stockton.

ITV presenter Andy Kerr acted as quiz master on the evening and a closely fought battle was waged with John Beresford’s team emerging victorious.

Over 180 people attended the event with three lucky guests enjoying the chance to play as part of John and Bradley’s teams – the additional spot was filled by George Caulkin, a Patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and northern sports correspondent for The Times.

The highlight of the evening was the charity auction, with NE FIT magazine arranging prizes including a one to one training session with UFC fighter Ross Pearson, which brought £600.

Other lots included an exclusive golf day at Close House Hotel, a years’ worth of boot camp training with the Outdoor Fitness Company and teeth whitening from Bute Dental. Porsche Newcastle donated prizes including a day’s performance driving at Silverstone, which raised £500, as well as a tour of the Bentley factory.

The auction brought in over £2,000 overall and even managed to tempt a few bids from John Beresford himself.

Since its launch in March 2008, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has raised £3.3 million to help find more effective treatments for cancer. The charity funds projects within the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust, which directly benefits cancer patients from across the North East and Cumbria.

NE FIT Publisher Dan Pearson said: “It was a pleasure to be invited to sponsor this event. The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is an example of what can be achieved locally when people are motivated to support great causes.

“The organization was excellent and a big thanks to the management team for making the event possible.”

NE FIT Magazine is the region’s first, and only, health and fitness title. Available from mid May in retailers across the North East. It features articles and columns from some of the North’s leading sports personalities and fitness experts.