INCREDIBLE FINAL ‘FRIDGE RUNNING’ CHALLENGE

Tony ‘the Fridge’ Phoenix-Morrison, from Hebburn, is one of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation’s most recognisable fund-raisers.

The 49-year-old granddad has undertaken some incredibly punishing running challenges for the charity – including running 30 half marathons over 30 consecutive days and running for 24 hours – all whilst carrying an enormous fridge.

Tony’s ‘fridge-running’ has captured the imagination of thousands but he knows it is not something he can continue to put his body through and this weekend he is beginning his last major challenge.

On Saturday (3rd August) at 6am, Tony will begin The Smeg John O’Groats to Land’s End Endurance Challenge.  He will be attempting to run 40 marathons, in 40 consecutive days, and carrying a 42.5kg Smeg fridge every step of the way.

(Please watch this short film http://vimeo.com/70872587).

Tony says: “Carrying the fridge is hard and I know I need to draw a line under things.  In my head, I’ve had a few ideas about overseas challenges but nothing concrete and I know I need to stop before I damage myself.

“This will definitely be my last big fridge run in this country and I wanted to make it something special.  To really challenge myself.  And there’s no doubt this run will do that.

“It’s going to be much harder than anything I’ve ever experienced before.  I’m not the slightest bit afraid but I am very wary.  Some of the roads and the hills, mountains in some cases, will be brutal.”

Tony will be starting early each day and running for around seven hours.  The start of his route will take him from John O'Groats, heading south towards Inverness, then across the Cairngorms into Edinburgh, tackling ascents of 1,500 ft along the way.

From here, he will run south east along the A68 to his hometown of Newcastle upon Tyne and then continue south, passing through York and on to Nottingham.

After Leicester, he will hit Milton Keynes before arriving in London.  He will then run south west for the final leg of the journey, reaching the south coast at Southampton, before following the coast line westerly past Exeter and on to Land’s End.

In total, Tony will be running 1,053 miles and he concedes that The Smeg John 0’Groats to Land’s End Endurance Challenge may literally be ‘A Fridge too Far.’

Tony adds: “I’ve never actually run two back-to-back marathons with a fridge, let alone 40.  But my awareness and fund-raising campaign is all about tackling what is thought to be impossible and making it to the other side.

“I’m lucky because I know I can take my fridge off.  But if you have cancer you can’t do that.  It’s a burden you’re forced to carry and keep going.

“Cancer can beat you to your knees.  My efforts are a tribute to all those people who have to fight cancer every day.  And by fund-raising for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, I feel like I’m doing something practical and positive to help.”

Tony has received tremendous support for his latest challenge and Sir Bobby Robson Foundation Patron and Middlesbrough FC chairman, Steve Gibson, even arranged for him to use the club’s training facilities at Rockliffe.

He also has a generous headline sponsor in Smeg, the premium domestic appliance brand, who have made this challenge possible.

In addition, Smeg is the supplier of Tony's bright orange FAB10 fridge, which weighs in at a staggering 42.5kg (equivalent to combined weight of 40 litres of water or 40 house bricks).

John Davies, Brand Manager for Smeg UK, comments: “As an organisation, Smeg has been affected directly and indirectly by the pain and sadness caused by cancer.

“As a family run business with a commitment to the local communities we serve, we felt strongly about helping in every way we can to join in to combat this disease.

“We truly believe in the extraordinary fund-raising efforts of Tony the Fridge in aid of the Bobby Robson Foundation, to help find better ways to detect and treat cancer. We're behind Tony every single step of the way as our national charity of the year 2013.”

Please follow Tony’s progress live via via www.tonythefridge.com and on Twitter through @tony_the_fridge.

If you would like to donate, please visit Tony’s Sir Bobby Robson Foundation Justgiving site http://www.justgiving.com/tonythefridge.  You can also donate by texting ‘FRID93 £5’ to 70070.

‘REACH FOR THE STARS’ TO HELP CANCER PATIENTS

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has teamed up with another local charity, Daft as a Brush, Cancer Patient Care, to jointly fund a new cancer patient ambulance.

The ambulance will transport patients from across the North East and Cumbria, free of charge, to use services at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

It is one of a fleet of 13 Daft as a Brush ambulances and has been ‘adopted’ by pupils at High Spen Primary School in County Durham who have named it Reach for the Stars.

Lady Elsie Robson and Brian Burnie, Daft as a Brush Trustee, visited the school to thank the pupils for their support and enthusiasm.  It was also a chance for everyone to see the new ambulance, which features artwork by Marianne Murphy, aged 9, a Year 4 pupil at the school.

Brian Burnie says: “It was a very pleasant and moving day in the sun.  Wonderful seeing all the children around the ambulance and the enthusiasm to see their ambulance in the school yard.”

The Daft as a Brush ambulances have been running since March 2011.  Driven by a team of dedicated volunteers, they collect cancer patients from their homes and drop them off at the door of the Northern Centre for Cancer Care.

Lady Elsie says: “We were very pleased to be able to jointly fund this new ambulance.

“When you’re ill, the last thing you want to worry about is transport to and from the hospital for treatment and Daft as a Brush provide a hugely valuable service for cancer patients across the north east.

“We had a hard time picking a name from those thought up by the High Spen pupils.  There were so many wonderful ideas.  In the end, we chose Reach for the Stars because it seemed appropriate given everything we’re been able to achieve through Bob’s Foundation.

“And we’re very grateful for the fantastic support we continue to receive which means we’ll be able to do so much more in the future too.

“I had a very enjoyable morning at High Spen Primary and it was good to see the new ambulance all ready to go.  In fact, we were told it was going straight from the school to collect patients, which was good to hear.”

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation contributed £7,500 to help fund the ambulance and was greatly appreciated by all those working at the cancer charity. It costs over £300,000 per year to run the Daft as a Brush service, which is funded entirely from voluntary contributions.

Andrew Firth, head teacher at High Spen Primary School, says: “We were delighted to welcome Lady Elsie and the Daft as a Brush team to High Spen this morning.  The children are rightly proud that their art work will soon be brightening the day of ‘Very Important Patients’ around the north east.

“Unfortunately, like many schools, High Spen has been hit by cancer in the past. Sadly we are all too aware of the devastation it brings. Through adopting our own ambulance, ‘Reach for the Stars’, our children have been allowed to feel they really can have a positive impact on the wider community.

“Our school motto ‘Looking out for each other’ has been amended for the purposes of the ambulance to ‘Looking out for everyone’. We soon hope to see the amazing group of Daft as a Brush volunteers using the High Spen ambulance to make the life of people facing tough treatments a little easier.”

CANCER CHARITY BOWLED OVER BY CRICKETING SUPPORT

Ashes excitement will reach fever-pitch in the north east in less than three weeks time, when the England and Australia cricket teams head north to compete for the urn for the first time in the region. 

It will be an extra special test for two time Ashes winner and Durham CCC fast bowler, Stephen Harmison, and his Benefit Committee is celebrating the historic event by holding a black tie dinner on 6th August – just three days before the inaugural Ashes test at the Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground.

The Stephen Harmison Benefit Ashes Dinner, at the Newcastle Gateshead Hilton Hotel will be headlined by Stephen’s former international team mate Andrew Flintoff.

Andrew continues to be a key supporter, not only of Stephen’s Benefit Year, but of the two charities which it will in part benefit – the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Professional Cricketers Association (PCA) Benevolent Fund.
 
Martin Filson, Benefit Committee chairman, said: “The Ashes is very special to every cricket fan but it’s also played a big role in Stephen and Andrew’s careers.  They have had some incredible times playing together against Australia, there have been some really memorable moments.  And I’m sure we’ll hear about one or two of those on the night!”

Sir Bobby Robson had a significant influence on Stephen early on in his career, allowing the young bowler to train behind closed doors at Newcastle United before he went on tour with England team to Jamaica in 2004. 

During that tour, Stephen reached his full potential recording what would be his career best bowling figures.  It was an important feat in the lead up to England’s greatest recent summer and the 2005 Ashes win on home soil.

Martin adds: “The Benefit is helping support the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which shows how appreciative Stephen was of Sir Bobby’s support from the early stages in his career.

“The charity enables a lot of important research into the treatment of cancer to take place and I can see why Stephen wanted to support it so keenly.”

Andrew Robson, Sir Bobby’s son, is attending the Ashes Dinner as well as supporting a sell-out Stephen Harmison Benefit Committee Dinner with his two brothers later in the year at Lords.

Andrew says: “Dad was a huge cricket fan and a good friend of Stephen.  My family was very touched when he told us he wanted to help support the work of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation through his Benefit Year.

“Like Mum said at the time, it’s always special when one of Dad’s former players does something to support us and, even though Stephen’s not a footballer, that’s how this feels.

“This Ashes series has been extremely entertaining so far, although the Australians might not agree.  It’s sure to make the dinner a lively evening and I’m very much looking forward to it.”

Stephen’s Benefit Year Committee has already organised a golf day and T20 game in the region and a dinner at Lords, a second golf competition and festive race day are all planned for this year.

Tickets are still available for the Stephen Harmison Benefit Ashes Dinner on 6 August at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead.  Tickets are priced at £80. 

For more information, or to book, please email hello@harmy611benefit.co.uk or contact Yvette Thompson on 07960 215333.

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCE ‘SIR BOBBY ROBSON NATIONAL FOOTBALL DAY’

-    A National Football Day in Sir Bobby Robson’s honour created for 150th anniversary of The FA  -

The Football Association has today unveiled full plans for The Sir Bobby Robson National Football Day on Saturday 10 August 2013 – a call for people to come together in celebration of the nation’s favourite game and one of English football’s most iconic figures.

The day will see 150 events taking place across the country as part of The FA’s 150th anniversary celebrations - providing a showcase of The FA’s work at a grassroots level and giving the entire nation the opportunity to get involved with the sport. The events, being held by County FA’s  and FA Charter Standard Clubs, will be open to people of all ages and abilities, with the public able to join in everything from tournaments, to skills sessions and coaching workshops. The day will provide a focus on every aspect of the game including women’s football, disability football, refereeing and coaching.

A highlight of the day will be at the Sir Bobby Robson Football Centre in Ushaw Moor, County Durham, near to where the former England manager played as a youngster. The event will be attended by Lady Elsie Robson and will involve various activities including a children’s football tournament, a coaching clinic, skills sessions, and the chance to try out futsal. The FA will also make a donation on the day to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, the charity he established during the last 18 months of his life to fight cancer.

Lady Elsie Robson, Sir Bobby’s widow, said: “I’m sure Bob would have been thrilled having a National Football Day named in his honour.

“He was always so incredibly passionate about football.  He just loved it, whatever level it was being played at.  He was lucky enough to play and manage at the top of the game but he was just as enthusiastic talking to youngsters about their junior club matches.


“It’s a lovely gesture from the FA and we’re very grateful for their generous support of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation too.”

Former England captain and patron of The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Alan Shearer said: “Sir Bobby sums up everything that is great about English football. From elite success – guiding England in their best World Cup showing on foreign soil and top club honours in England, Spain, Portugal and Holland – to his love for the grassroots game and natural affinity with the fan in the street. On a national and international level, his contribution to football cannot be underestimated.”

Other planned events for 10th August include a women’s football festival at the home of English football, St George’s Park, a beach soccer event in Dorset, a Respect event at Netherton United in Peterborough, and a tournament and coaching session at AC Paulista FC in Lewisham, London. Many of the events have been planned and will be managed by county FA youth councils and volunteer coaches– just some of the people who form part of the huge volunteer network of 400,000 people in grassroots football.

A number of famous faces who knew Sir Bobby Robson, including Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Pep Guardiola have taken part in a short film to launch National Football Day. The film can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/Ccxu_ThWCjI

To find out more Sir Bobby Robson National Football Day and your local event and The FA’s work developing football for everyone, visit www.TheFA.com/nationalfootballday.

Sir Trevor Brooking, The FA's Director Of Football Development, said: “The Sir Bobby Robson National Football Day has been created as part of our 150th anniversary celebrations to showcase the nation’s love for the game and the huge number of people who get involved in football every week, whether that’s playing, coaching, volunteering or refereeing. This day will shine a light on the sheer breadth of the nation’s favourite game and we hope it will encourage more people to get involved. Whether you visit one of the planned 150 events or simply head to your garden or local park with family and friends, there’s no better day to get into football.”

This October, the FA is once again supporting Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Auction.  Organised entirely by volunteers, this online auction will raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and cancer services within Suffolk Hospitals.  For more information about how to get involved please visit www.sirbobbysbreakthrough.com.

FROM WORLD CUP TO TEA CUPS - ‘BIG JACK’ SHOWS HE’S A WINNER

Jack Charlton may soon be as well known for tea cups as World Cups by promoting a new tea, which is helping raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The north east football legend is now ‘the face’ of Northumberland Tea alongside the light-hearted slogan “The best cup since 1966” referring to Jack, and English football’s, finest hour – winning the World Cup under Sir Alf Ramsey.

The tea is the creation of Corbridge couple Bill and Helen Logan, with the help of expert blender and importer James Pogson.  And, because Helen sadly lost both her mum and dad to cancer within the last three years, they were keen to do something that would also support the work of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Helen says: “We spent several days with James learning how to create our blend.  Tasting teas from Kenya, Assam and Ceylon, which all have their own distinctive characteristics.

“We came up with a few variations of our tea and then tested them extensively with people in our region until we came up with the favourite.

“We love it and were thrilled when Jack agreed.  To have a World Cup winner’s backing is quite something and makes our support of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation all the more fitting.”

A percentage of the profits of Northumberland Tea will be donated to the cancer charity Sir Bobby launched in 2008.  The Foundation has gone on to raise more than £5.2million to find more effective ways to detect and treat cancer.

Helen adds: “My mum Margaret died in 2010 after being ill for just six weeks and my dad Michael died in 2012 from lung cancer aged 70.  He was a fit, strong farmer before his diagnosis.

“Bill and I felt very strongly about supporting the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation as my dad benefited from care funded by the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.  We hope, in a small way, that we are repaying a debt of gratitude as well as helping other local people facing cancer.”

Jack was very happy to put his name to Northumberland Tea and help his friend Sir Bobby Robson’s cancer charity in the process.

Jack says: “We’ve moved from coffee to tea now.  It’s all we’ve got in the house!  It’s very nice and all the family are using it.

“And I’m pleased it’s helping raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.  I’ve known Bob for most of my life, starting from when he played for Fulham and then when he went into management. I played against him, of course, and used to see him quite often in London and he tended to be at most of the international matches.

“Then more recently he came home to the North East and when he left Newcastle he had an office in the city and we used to get to together now and again. The Foundation is a great charity and fantastic that Bobby has a legacy which helps out so many people. We’re both men of the region, but he was a Durham lad.  He was a good pal of mine.”

Bill, Helen and Jack were proud to hand over the first box of Northumberland Tea off the production line to Lady Elsie Robson.

Lady Elsie says: “I think this is a wonderful idea.  Tea is usually the first thing I think about in the morning.  In fact, I can’t really think properly about anything else until I’ve had my first cup!

“It’s very good of Bill, Helen and Jack to think of helping the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation like this. 

“And I hope the tea is something people will enjoy all the more knowing they’re helping Bob’s charity too.”

Northumberland Tea is available from 100 retailers throughout north east England.  For further information please visit www.thenorthumberlandteacompany.com.

FOOTBALL FUND-RAISING HELPS FIGHT CANCER

A festival of five-a-side football is on offer next month (July) thanks to the return of the popular Robson 5s competition.

In aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, the Robson 5s features men’s, women’s and junior sections and is held each year at Soccerworld, Newcastle.

This is the tournament‘s fifth year and, once again, it is attracting teams from across the region.  In fact, event manager, Ian Carr, believes this year could be the best yet.

Ian, who organises the event along with Peter Hughes and Neal Eddy, says: “We’re really pleased with the number of teams already entered for this year’s Robson 5s.  We’ve also been sponsored by Karting North East which has helped a lot.

“Support for the tournament from all over the region just keeps building and it’s become a regular football fixture.

“It’s always a really good day’s football and we’re very grateful to all officials who give up their time to help.

“When we set out to do something to help the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation back in 2008 we had no idea we’d still be going five years on.  It’s something everyone involved with the event is really proud of.”

Teams already entered in the Robson 5s men’s section include Sunderland AFC fans ‘Ready To Go’ and the Army and, in the women’s section, Newcastle United FC, the Army and Fire Brigade.

Pauline Buglass, from the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, says: “We’re grateful to everyone involved in organising the Robson 5s.  It’s a wonderful way to raise money to help fight cancer.

“It’s always a competitive tournament and I’m sure this year will be no different. We hope the weather will be kind and that all the players and supporters enjoy the day.”

This year’s Robson 5s is on 7 July at Soccerworld, West Road, Newcastle.  For more information please visit www.therobsonfives.co.uk or call Ian Carr on 0753 8935 009.

NEW CHARITY DVD ‘ANOTHER (K)NIGHT TO REMEMBER’

Sir Bobby Robson – A Celebration, supported by Virgin Money, was a very special evening of music, memories and laughter.  Family, friends, musicians, comedians, football greats and admirers gathered on the banks of the Tyne on 18th February to remember Sir Bobby on the night he would have turned 80.

Tickets for the event sold out within hours and now, thanks to a new dvd released today (Tuesday 4th June), Sir Bobby Robson – A Celebration can be enjoyed by a much wider audience.

Raising funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, the dvd, Another (K)Night to Remember, includes all the highlights from the event including Sir Bobby’s ‘Desert Island Discs’ along with a host of funny and moving extra interviews from the likes of Paul Gascoigne, Bob Moncur and Lady Elsie.

Sir Bobby’s son Mark described the event at The Sage Gateshead as “one of the best nights of my life” and, as well as providing a fitting celebration of the football legend’s life, it also raised an incredible £80,000 for The Alan Shearer Foundation and Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Lady Elsie says: “We thoroughly enjoyed the celebration of Bob’s birthday.  It was a wonderful night and we were surrounded by friends and well-wishers. Bob would have been in his element.

“It was just so special to have gathered together such a wonderful line up of performers and football people.  And to have raised so much money for charity too, really I’m just blown away.

“It says a lot about the commitment of everyone involved in the organisation of the night, the generosity of the sponsors Virgin Money and the people who gave up time to appear, that it all ran so smoothly.  People are still talking about it now and I’m sure the DVD will be very popular.”

The team behind this dvd, Brian and Helen Mawson, Geoff Wonfor and Ray Laidlaw, also produced the popular A Knight to Remember dvd in 2009, which has raised more than £100,000 for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Paul Lloyd, Marketing Director of Virgin Money said: “We were proud to sponsor and support such a fantastic celebration of Sir Bobby's life on what would have been his 80th birthday and to have raised over £80,000 for such a great cause, seems perfectly apt.

“I look forward to watching the DVD and reliving the night many times over."

The charity night in February at The Sage Gateshead was originally planned with Sir Bobby’s involvement in 2009 and he filmed what became his last interviews to be shown at the event.

Hosted by Jim Rosenthal and former Lindisfarne singer Billy Mitchell, Sir Bobby Robson – A Celebration featured an amazing line-up of performers and football greats including Mark Knopfler, England legend Stuart Pearce, Joe McElderry, Northern Sinfonia - Orchestra of The Sage Gateshead, The Unthanks, Simon Day, Paul Whitehouse, Russell Watson, Alistair McGowan, Peter Brewis of Field Music, The Cornshed Sisters, Paul Smith of Maximo Park, Ruby Turner, Faryl Smith, Scarlet Street, Ben Ottewell of Gomez, Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas and Newcastle United’s Alan Pardew, Shola Ameobi  and Steve Harper.

Guests included Sir Bobby Robson Foundation Patrons with Middlesbrough FC chairman Steve Gibson and Sir Bobby’s Ipswich captain Mick Mills in attendance.  Sunderland AFC manager Martin O’Neill, Durham CCC’s Stephen Harmison, football legends Bob Moncur and Jack Charlton and Hebburn star Chris Ramsey in the audience.

Faryl Smith sang a stunning duet of Barcelona with Russell Watson and says: “It was a massive honour to be asked to join in the celebration for Sir Bobby and to help out with both charities.

“We’re a football mad family and I played for many years in a girls’ football team, so being involved was very rewarding.”

The event was organised by a dedicated and experienced team working on a voluntary basis.  They are music promoter, Adam Collerton; award-winning director, Geoff Wonfor; football and media producer, Oliver Fowler; tour manager, Sue Collier and event producer, Ray Laidlaw, formerly of Lindisfarne.

The team received tremendous support from The Sage Gateshead, performers, guests, local businesses and the football community - including Sir Bobby’s former clubs, FIFA, UEFA and The Football Association.

An ideal Father’s Day present, Another (K)Night to Remember is available in Windows, Newcastle, MetroCentre and Darlington priced at £16.99.  It is also available in T&G Alan, Morpeth, That’s Entertainment in Newcastle and the MetroCentre, Gojo in Hexham  and online from http://www.mawson-wareham.com/product.php?prodid=127.