FIVE DAYS, 123 MILES, A STORM, A BIRTHDAY AND A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL

Stephen Turnbull, from Acomb near Hexham, was tormented for years by the map of northern England on his office wall.

The route from Whitehaven to Tynemouth ‘screamed out’ at him to be run until eventually his family’s experiences with cancer pushed him to undertake the challenge to raise funds in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

It took him five days to complete the 123 mile run, during which time he weathered a massive storm, celebrated his 46th birthday and proposed to his girlfriend.

Stephen says: “It’s hard to explain but that map on the office wall has distracted me for ages.  Thinking about doing that coast to coast run just wouldn’t go away.

“Finally I decided to do it because of what cancer has done to my family.  My aunt died from breast cancer, my cousin died aged just 29 and my mum is fighting liver cancer now.  I wanted to do something for them and for other people fighting this terrible disease and finally thought enough is enough, it’s time to stop thinking about it and actually do it.

“I’m a football coach and big fan of Sir Bobby Robson and I immediately thought of raising money for his Foundation.  Cancer was the reason I undertook the challenge and Sir Bobby was the inspiration.” 

Stephen, an IT sales manager and coach of Hexham Greens FC, was supported on his run by girlfriend Helen Hails who followed in a car.

Stephen adds: “I couldn’t have done this without Helen’s help.  The day of the big storm was hilarious.  I just got so wet it was funny.

“The final day was amazing.  I ran 35 miles, which was the furthest I ever have, and was just getting slower and slower. Thinking about my family, Sir Bobby and the people backing me for his charity really helped.

“My head was so full up.  It was my last day and I knew my mum and family would be at the beach, it was also my birthday and I knew I was going to propose to Helen.  But when I got the Tynemouth I was so exhausted all I could think was, I can’t believe the flaming tide’s out, now I’ve got another couple of hundred yards to run!

“Helen came down to the sea with me and I got down on one knee to propose.  Thankfully she said yes and the first thing she did as my fiancé was to help me get back up.

“It was an incredibly tough challenge and for my next birthday I think I’ll just eat some cake.  But I enjoyed it a lot and the money raised made it all worthwhile.  It was an unforgettable experience.”

Stephen’s target for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation was £500 and he has gone on to raise over £1,500.

The money will directly benefit people in the north east and Cumbria fighting cancer and will contribute to the international search for more effective treatments for the disease.

Pauline Buglass, head of fund-raising for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, says: “Stephen’s efforts for the Foundation are greatly appreciated.

“He’s taken on an incredibly hard challenge and seen it through to the end.  He should be very proud of his achievement and we’re very grateful to him and everyone who has sponsored him.”

Stephen’s JustGiving page is at www.justgiving.com/run4sirbobby.

CYCLE, SWIM AND RUN GEORDIES RUN!

A former Newcastle United favourite is teaming up with one of the north east’s best-loved charity champions to prepare for an epic journey this autumn.

Ex-Magpies defender Robbie Elliott is cycling across Europe and the UK in October as he embarks on Bike For Bobby.

Elliott and friend Phil Gray will cycle 3,500 miles non-stop visiting all of the clubs Sir Bobby Robson managed during a celebrated coaching career.

And next month the duo will join Mark Allison – better known as Run Geordie Run – in an event hand-picked to prepare Elliott for his fundraising marathon.

The trio will compete in the 2012 Castles Challenge Triathlon on July 28-29 with Allison running, Elliott cycling and Gray swimming.

“I follow Robbie on Twitter and as someone who’s undertaken a big challenge in the past it’s great to see his journey taking place,” said Allison, who will embark on his own marathon trek across Australia next year.

“The fact that he started out as a footballer and now he’s attempting to become an endurance cyclist is fascinating. He’s seeing the miles building up and the event drawing closer and I’m right behind him all of the way.

“I like following lots of people’s journeys on Twitter and Robbie’s is one of them. It’s a bit different, very ambitious and a great journey to follow.”

It was only after a meeting with Allison that Elliott decided to set up The Robbie Elliott Foundation (TREF) and raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Breakthrough Breast Cancer through Bike For Bobby.

And Allison added: “The fact that I inspired him to do Bike For Bobby is really humbling and I was very flattered when he asked me to be part of his team for the Castles Challenge. I’ll be looking at doing the run in around one hour 50 minutes and I’m sure he could have found someone faster!

“But it’s come full circle. It was after I met him following my trek across America that he decided he wanted to do something big for charity and a year down the line we’re back together doing an event to promote Bike For Bobby.

“And it’s extra special for me as I spent my summer holidays as a child under the shadow of Bamburgh and Alnwick castles. It will bring the memories flooding back and I can’t wait to get going.”

Former England Under 21 defender Elliott, who played for Newcastle during two spells at St James’s Park, is proud to have Allison on his team.

“Mark is a big part of why I’m doing Bike For Bobby and he’s supported me every step of the way,” said the Gosforth-born strength and conditioning coach.

“When I saw what he had done and how much money he had raised I felt genuinely moved. I’d always wanted to do something similar and he gave me the inspiration to launch my Foundation and embark upon Bike For Bobby.”

This is the fourth year of the Castles Challenge Triathlon but for the first time there will be Junior Triathlons and a Sprint Distance Triathlon on the Saturday, which will start and finish at Bamburgh.

The race on the Sunday – featuring Elliott and Allison - will become a Middle Distance (Half Iron) Race and follow the same format as in previous years starting at Bamburgh and finishing at Alnwick Castle.

Junior races will take place on the Saturday lunchtime with the Adult Sprint Racing taking place at 5pm followed by a post race presentation party.

Organisers have promised a packed programme of activities with food and entertainment throughout the weekend.

To back Bike For Bobby text TREF03 to 70070 and make your donation or visit www.robbieelliottfoundation.com

For more information on the 2012 Castles Triathlon visit www.castlestriathlon.co.uk

NEWCASTLE UNITED TERRACE FAVOURITE RAISES FUNDS TO FIGHT CANCER

It’s a classic Tyneside anthem celebrating its 150th anniversary, today (9th June) and the Blaydon Races is also helping to raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation thanks to local band The Longsands.

The popular Cramlington group released their own version of the song in aid of the cancer charity raising a massive £1,235.

Lead singer, Trevor Cox, presented a cheque for the money raised to football legend Alan Shearer, a Patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, who officially named an East Coast train ‘Blaydon Races’ this week.

Trevor says: “As a group we wanted to do something to help the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and this seemed like a very appropriate way to do it.

“Everyone knows someone affected by cancer and it’s important to keep funding research which will help make the disease a thing of the past.

“We’re proud to be involved and grateful to all our fans who helped by buying the Blaydon Races single.”

150th anniversary celebrations of the Blaydon Races will be in full swing on the 9th June, including the famous Blaydon Race. 

A host of events are planned including a five-a-side football competition, The Blaydon Races 150 Tournament, organised by Craig Ball, from Medburn, near Ponteland, in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

FOOTBALL FUND-RAISING HELPS FIGHT CANCER THIS SUMMER

With Euro 2012 and the Olympics coming up, this summer offers a feast of football for spectators. 

And for football fans who want to take a more active part in the game, there are two opportunities to play and help the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in the coming weeks.

Craig Ball, from Northumberland, and Ian Carr, from Gateshead, have both organised five-a-side football competitions in aid of the charity in June and July and jointly aim to raise funds to fight cancer while promoting the five-a-side form of the game.

Craig’s competition, The Blaydon Races 150 Tournament, is open to men’s and women’s teams and will be held at Complete Football in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, on 9th June.

Craig says: “Initially I chose the 9th June for the competition because it’s the first weekend of Euro 2012 and thought it would be a good way to ‘warm up’ for the tournament.

“I’ve just returned to the north east from working in South Korea for a few years and when someone pointed out the significance of that date I decided to get involved with the Blaydon Races 150th anniversary too. 

“We’re all looking forward to the football, raising some money for a really important cause and celebrating the Blaydon Races’ heritage too.”

Ian Carr is becoming a veteran Sir Bobby Robson Foundation fund-raiser and this is the fourth year he and his colleague Neal Eddy have organised the Robson 5s tournament held at Soccerworld, West Road Newcastle.

This years’ event is being held on 1 July and is once again open to men’s, women’s and junior teams and is being supported by players from across the region.

Ian says: “Every year we’ve had teams made up of Newcastle, Boro and Sunderland supporters, which adds to the competitive feel of the day and this time we’ve got our first Cumbrian entry with a team coming from Carlisle.

“The tournament’s always played in a great spirit and is a lot of fun but when local pride is at stake you know the teams are going to be trying their best.

“It’s important for us to feel we’re doing our bit to help the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation through the competition.  Feedback about the day, and giving five-a-side players the chance to support the Foundation, is always good and we’re hoping this year will be another special event.”

Sir Bobby and Lady Elsie launched the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in 2008 and it has gone on to raise £4,095,264 to help find more effective treatments for cancer.

It funds projects within the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that directly benefit cancer patients from across the north east and Cumbria, and which contribute significantly to research into the disease.

Professor Ruth Plummer was Sir Bobby’s oncologist and is director of the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre and a trustee of the Foundation.

Commenting from the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting (ASCO) in Chicago, USA, where she is involved in presentations about trials work being done at the Sir Bobby Robson Centre in partnership with trials units at Royal Marsden, Cambridge, Beatson Glasgow, Christie Manchester, Leeds, Oxford, and Kings London, Professor Plummer says: “Clinicians like myself who work directly with patients see the benefits of the Foundation first hand and on a daily basis. 

“It’s making a huge difference to the lives of people fighting cancer and that’s exactly what Sir Bobby hoped would happen when he set up this charity.  We’re understanding more about cancer as a disease as research progresses and this is leading to new treatments being developed, which really help patients battle this terrible disease.

“The work we’ve funded through the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, and the work we’re looking at funding in the near future, is completely dependent on money raised through events like those being organised by Craig and Ian.

“We’re very grateful to all our fund-raisers and everyone who has made a donation to support our work.”

Further information about The Blaydon Races 150 Tournament on 9th June can be found at www.justgiving.com/euro2012sbrf, while information about the Robson 5s can be found at www.therobsonfives2012.co.uk.

TOM CHAPLIN BLOG: SIR BOBBY'S STATUE UNVEILING

If there was a finer day to unveil a statue of Sir Bobby Robson outside St James’ Park than Sunday 6th May then no one present could think of one.  That the sun was high in the sky was a mere aside – perhaps proving that it always shines on Sir Bobby and those who loved him and continue to cherish his memory.

Of more relevance and resonance, of course, was the financial milestone recently reached by the Foundation and of the club back operating at a level Sir Bobby left them – playing good football, involved in important games at the top of the league and fighting for European qualification.

In attendance was Newcastle United’s current manager Alan Pardew, the club’s Chairman Derek Llambias, a number of Sir Bobby’s former players, notable representatives of the Foundation including Professor Ruth Plummer and Patron Niall Quinn, Sir Bobby’s sons Andrew, Mark and Paul, and his widow Lady Elsie, who had the hundreds of supporters hanging on her every word. “Even from the depths of darkness, brightness can emerge” she said. “There’s only one Bobby Robson” the fans sang in reply, by way of a salute.

Engaging and thought provoking, always the Robson way, Lady Elsie thanked the club for the wonderful gesture and spoke of Bobby’s journey from Langley Park to the top European football via a spot with his father and brother on the Gallowgate end. She spoke too of the pride he had in reaching the Champions League as manager with his club and thrill that he would have found in watching this current team.

Lady Elsie talked of Bobby leading ‘a black and white life’ – one which no doubt by extension she lived herself, like many loved ones on Tyneside do – but it is Sir Bobby’s universal appeal and unending charm that has led to the Foundation’s fundraising recently topping £4 million in just four years.  A magnificent achievement made possible by fundraising and charitable giving from Tyneside, Teesside, Wearside, Suffolk, and from across the UK and the globe.

And so, now there he is, standing proud with a ball at his feet and a smile on his face, looking out across the city and region he loved and served, all in ear shot of one of the most beautiful sounds a Geordie football man like him can hear. A huge crowd in full voice, raw and passionate, Newcastle United score again. He’ll be in heaven.

TOM CHAPLIN BLOG: A VERY SPECIAL SCOOL TRIP

There’s something in the eyes of children when they see someone famous. Like they can’t believe the person in front of them is actually real. They whisper excitedly, shuffle nervously from foot to foot, frozen almost - plucking up the courage to talk to them.

Who better then to represent the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation at the former Newcastle United manager’s old school Langley Park Primary School and effortlessly put the children at ease than two of the teams’ current stars Steve Harper and Shola Ameobi. Laid back and relaxed, patient and thoughtful, Steve and Shola gave their time in a manner Sir Bobby would have been proud of.

Having been invited to the school by The Times North East football reporter, Foundation Patron and former pupil himself George Caulkin, the players - two of three still at the club who played under Sir Bobby - were visiting the school for several reasons: to collect a large cheque on behalf of the Foundation resulting from the school’s recent fundraising efforts (currently topping £1200 for the last two events), and also to offer encouragement to the pupils in a village close to the hearts of Sir Bobby and his family.

It was here Sir Bobby grew up – and later working in the village’s pit - before Fulham FC and professional football came calling.  Appropriately enough, it was in the school yard where the stars of today and maybe tomorrow really got a chance to mix. The players joined in with an impromptu kickabout during afternoon playtime, giving even the most shy of pupils a chance to shine.

Back inside there was time for a question and answer session with Year 4 pupils where Shola shared his excitement on playing for his hometown team and Steve encouraged the children to stay in school – as he had despite offers from several clubs during his A’levels. There was also a prize giving assembly to reward the most original costumes from the latest fundraising initiative at the school – a sports themed fancy dress day. A football signed by the players was the precious prize for a winning pupil from each class in the school.

And it was definitely a day for North East unity, a chance to put club allegiances to one side for a while in favour of fundraising, as the Newcastle United players discovered they’d given a prize to a boy whose costume had been a Sunderland kit.
And what of the shy, quiet children at first frightened to approach the superstar footballers? Still tongue tied? Not a bit of it. They took their chance to ask questions, chat, play more football and even give interviews to ITV Tyne Tees News! A great, great day full of passion, pride and fundraising. Just as Bobby would have liked it.

A massive thank you to the staff at Langley Park Primary School for their hospitality and to Newcastle United, and of course to Steve and Shola. Congratulations to the fancy dress competition winners, and to all the children and their families for their fundraising efforts.

CELEBRITY GOLF DAY IN AID OF THE SIR BOBBY ROBSON FOUNDATION

Alan Shearer and Sir Bobby Robson’s sons Andrew and Mark are among the golfers swinging into action at The Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Day and Dinner at Rockliffe Hall, near Darlington on Wednesday (2 May).

Sponsored by Goldchip, this is the second annual golf day in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, the cancer charity Sir Bobby launched in 2008.

It is also being supported by current and former players and management from Middlesbrough FC, Newcastle United FC and Sunderland AFC including Dean Gordon, Craig Hignett, Neil Bausor, Alan Shearer, Steve Harper, John Beresford, Paul Kitson, Rob Lee, Steve Howey and Lee Cattermole.

Teams for The Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Day sold out well in advance and, after playing 18 holes, golfers will go on to enjoy dinner crafted by Rockliffe Hall’s Michelin-starred chef Kenny Atkinson, a very special auction and evening entertainment.

Lady Elsie says: “We’re very grateful to everyone supporting this year’s Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Day.

“Last year was a wonderful occasion and something my husband would have thoroughly enjoyed. 

“There was a lovely atmosphere and it was wonderful to have so many people coming together to help raise funds for the Foundation. 

“Rockliffe Hall are fantastic hosts and I’m very much looking forward to this year’s event.”

Sir Bobby and Lady Elsie launched the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in 2008 and it has gone on to raise £4,095,264 to help find more effective treatments for cancer.

It funds projects within the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that directly benefit cancer patients from across the north east and Cumbria, and which contribute significantly to research into the disease.

The Foundation’s medical trustees are always looking for the next breakthrough, the next promising investment into cancer equipment or training and always looking to fulfil Sir Bobby’s ambition to help other people facing the hard fight against cancer.

It is supported in that aim by committed Patrons including Alan Shearer, Niall Quinn, Steve Gibson, Delia Smith and Mick Mills.

Sunderland AFC legend Niall Quinn was at Rockliffe Hall for the first Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Day last year. 

Sadly, despite his best efforts, he is unable to attend this time and says: "The inaugural Sir Bobby Robson golf tournament last year proved to be a fantastic day.  I played at Rockliffe along with many others and it was great to see all the clubs of the region represented there.

"I get the feeling Sir Bobby would have loved that.  Not just because it illustrated his standing in the game, but because his charity is raising funds which are used to combat cancer across the north east and Cumbria.  As Sir Bobby used to say, cancer takes no account of who you are or which team you support.

"I'm very sad that I can't make it to the event this year.  The Foundation remains very close to my heart and I wish good luck to everybody who does take part. I'm sure it'll be another fantastic occasion."