VIRGIN MEDIA SUPPORTS SIR BOBBY'S CHARITY

To raise much-needed funds for the fight against cancer, twenty years after Sir Bobby Robson led England to the World Cup semi-finals, Virgin Media has pledged to make a donation to the charity set up in his name every time a visitor to this site watches any video clips.

www.wc2010.virginmedia.com

Virgin Media has pledged to give 20% of the revenue generated from all videos viewed - and if the England team goes one better in 2010 and wins the World Cup, we will give an extra 10% to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

So the more times the video clips are watched on this site, the more money will be given to help in the fight against cancer, an illness which Sir Bobby bravely fought five times.

Sir Bobby's son, Mark Robson, said: "We're very grateful that Virgin Media has offered their support with this tribute to my dad. It's a fantastic way to raise funds to help improve the lives of other people fighting cancer and to make people aware of his charity. The money raised will help fund clinical trials of new cancer drugs, which is something dad was passionate about.

"Italia 90 is remembered as one of the highlights of dad`s career. He was extremely proud to be manager of England and his team's achievements at Italia 90 were unforgettable. It was a very special tournament which inspired so many people in a way only the World Cup can."

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

Snooker legend Jimmy ‘Whirlwind’ White will be in Newcastle next week to support the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Jimmy is the guest star at a sell out fund-raising event at Westfield Social Club on Westgate Road in Newcastle. He will be playing a frame of snooker against the highest bidders in an auction to benefit Sir Bobby’s cancer charity.

Jimmy, who has fought cancer himself, says: “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 event on Wednesday 26 May is being organised by Michael Sheldon from Westerhope and the members of the Westfield Snooker Team.

Michael is thrilled at the positive response from local snooker fans and says: “We sold out all 200 tickets for this night in no time at all. Everyone is excited to see Jimmy play at close quarters and a lucky few will also get the chance to match themselves against him.

“It will be a fantastic evening and we’re very proud to help support Sir Bobby’s cancer charity.”

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation operates within the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust to help patients across the north east and Cumbria. It focuses on the early detection and treatment of cancer and the clinical trials of new drugs that will eventually beat it.

The charity was launched in March 2008 and, thanks to tremendous generosity from donors and fund-raisers, has now raised more than £2.4 million to help fight cancer.

IPSWICH LEGEND MICK MILLS BECOMES SUFFOLK’S PATRON OF THE SIR BOBBY ROBSON FOUNDATION

Sir Bobby Robson’s cancer charity receives fantastic ongoing support from fans of all of his former clubs – and outside the north east that support is undoubtedly strongest in Suffolk where fans of Ipswich Town continue to raise funds in his name.

Ipswich Town enjoyed a period of incredible success under 13 years of Sir Bobby’s management including winning both the FA and UEFA cups. As well as regular European football, the team finished league runners-up twice - and all this was accomplished relying largely on players brought up through the club’s youth programme.

For a relatively small club, the achievements of Ipswich Town during Sir Bobby’s reign were tremendous and prompted the Football Association to offer Sir Bobby the position of England manager.

In recognition of his influence at Ipswich Town Sir Bobby was honoured with the position of Honorary President and was granted the freedom of the town 30 years after that historic UEFA Cup win.

Now, in turn, Sir Bobby’s family would like to recognise the tremendous support given to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation by Ipswich Town and its fans and is proud to announce Mick Mills MBE, Sir Bobby’s club captain, has agreed to become a patron of the charity.

Lady Elsie Robson says: “When we launched the charity we were overwhelmed at the support and generous donations which flooded in from Suffolk. Bobby often used the word faithful and that is how he described that support.

“It’s touching that he is so well remembered in Suffolk. We enjoyed our time there a great deal and my family and I have very fond memories of Ipswich.

“Given the wonderful and ongoing support Bobby’s charity is receiving from Suffolk we felt it would be appropriate to have a Patron to officially represent the Foundation in the town. We couldn’t think of anyone better to ask than the man who led Bobby’s team to such great successes on the pitch and we were very pleased when Mick kindly agreed to help.

“Mick’s support is greatly appreciated as we continue to raise money to fight this terrible disease.”

After Sir Bobby lost his brave battle with cancer in July last year Ipswich Town named a stand at the club in his name. Lady Elsie and two of Sir Bobby’s sons officially renamed the stand on the day Newcastle United visited Portman Road in September last year and the occasion was also marked by the pre-match appearance of players from Sir Bobby’s legendary Ipswich side.

Both teams ran out special commemorative shirts bearing the logo of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which were then auctioned off in aid of the charity.

Mick says: “Ipswich Town holds a very important chapter in Sir Bobby’s life and it was an honour to be part of the occasion when Newcastle came to Portman Road last September.

“It was very important for Ipswich Town to do something personal to remember Sir Bobby as his contribution to the club was immense. I think they did very well and it was a perfect day although obviously the result went against us. Now we have the Sir Bobby Robson Stand as well as the statue outside Portman Road and they are both very well deserved.

“What I think Bobby would have liked best of all though is the way he has linked these two football clubs. He was a Newcastle United supporter as a boy and you never forget that team. It was so special for him to go on and manage the club and he is a common denominator for fans of both teams.

“I was absolutely delighted to be asked by Sir Bobby’s family to become a patron for his charity. It means a lot to be well thought of by them and it’s nice that even though Bobby has gone I can continue my association with him.

“We both came through difficult times together and working hard with a very talented team went on to reap the rewards. We worked together for a long time as manager and captain and it was without question my most enjoyable period within football.”

Mick’s new role with the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation will be made official with a pre-match presentation to fans ahead of the Newcastle United versus Ipswich game on 24 April. This will also be an opportunity for Sir Bobby’s family to say thank you to both clubs and their fans for their tremendous ongoing support for the charity.

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has now raised over £2.4 million to fight cancer. Its main focus is the clinical trials of new anti-cancer drugs.

The charity has equipped and partially staffed the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care in Newcastle, which treated 560 patients in its first year. For many of these patients standard cancer treatment is no longer effective and they are prepared to take a chance on something new. Without the Sir Bobby Robson Centre they would probably not have the opportunity to do so.

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation operates within the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust and a wider cancer research network to provide services not currently funded by the NHS.

Lady Elsie receives Sir Bobby's FIFA Fair Play Award

TRIBUTE TO “THE BEST PRESIDENT WE NEVER HAD”

The Lord’s Taverners will celebrate the life of “the best President we never had” - Sir Bobby Robson - on Friday 14 May at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, with Sir Alex Ferguson and many of Sir Bobby's famous footballing friends paying tribute.

Sir Bobby loved cricket as well as football and was due to succeed Mike Gatting as President of The Lord’s Taverners in 2007. Sadly, ill health prevented him from doing so but he remained a big supporter. Now cricket’s favourite Charity is paying tribute to one of football’s favourite sons.

Hosted by Bob “The Cat” Bevan, the event is being hosted jointly in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Lord’s Taverners. Lady Elsie Robson and sons Andrew, Mark and Paul will be attending on the day.

Tickets cost £95 for members of The Lord's Taverners (£110 for Associates and Non Members) including pre-lunch drinks reception, three-course meal and half a bottle of wine per person. To book tickets please download the booking form or contact the Events Department on 020 7821 2828.

Glamorous Dinner Dance

Seaham Hall is hosting a dinner dance in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation on Friday 30th April.

The night of glitz and glamour will commence at 7pm with arrival drinks and canapés followed by a five course dinner in the Ballroom.

Seaham Hall's talented chefs have created a menu to delight the palate and the evening’s entertainment will be provided by the fabulous Taylor Moon Band with dancing until the small hours.

Tickets are priced at £50 per person with £10 from each ticket sold being donated to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and further fundraising on the evening.

To book please call Seaham Hall on 0191 516 1400 or email kelly.beetham@seaham-hall.co.uk

ON YOUR FEET SOLDIER!

Soldier Angela Kelly from Sacriston, County Durham, is organising a sponsored walk in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help.

On Saturday 27 March Warrant Officer Kelly and her dog, Alan Shearer, will be walking the three miles from Sacriston, the birthplace of Sir Bobby Robson, to Langley Park where the football legend grew up.

She is appealing for people to join her and as well as the walk, other activities on the day include Beat the Goalie, Guess the Name of the Toy Soldier, face painting, a brass band and an aerobics warm up.

Angela, who is based at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham, says: “I’ve wanted to do this walk for some time because I really admire the hard work Sir Bobby put into his charity while he was so poorly himself.

“These are two charities which are very close to my heart because I love football and because of my role as a serving soldier.

“It won’t be anything like an army style march! This will be a fun day out for everyone who comes along and anyone like me who would like to bring their dogs is very welcome.”

The walk starts at 10.30am in Sacriston with registration from 9.45am. There is transport back to Sacriston after the walk where there will be a buffet and raffle and walkers will also receive a free goody bag.

Thanks to ongoing support, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has now raised over £2.2 million to fight cancer for the benefit of patients across the north east.

In addition to equipping the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, the charity has funded a specialist research nurse and doctor and enhanced a children’s waiting area at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care.

It also recently contributed £30,000 to the new Teenage Cancer Unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. The Foundation will be announcing a very significant investment into cancer research equipment early this year.

The charity operates within the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust and a wider cancer research network to provide services not currently funded by the NHS.

To make a donation, view messages of support, or for more information on the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, please visit www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk or donate by sending a cheque to Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, PO Box 307, Heaton NE7 7QG.

SSAFA Forces Help runs SSAFA Norton House, a 'home from home' for the families of injured servicemen and women who are being treated at Selly Oak Hospital. The charity also runs family support groups for those dealing with bereavement or life-changing injuries.

Anyone interested in taking part in the walk should contact WO Kelly on 0783 7021 914.