FOOTBALL UNITES AND ‘SWINGS’ INTO ACTION

Club allegiances were put to one side this week as football united to support a very special golf day in aid of cancer charity the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Day, sponsored by Goldchip, was supported by all of the charity’s high profile Patrons – Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson, Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer, Sunderland AFC chairman Niall Quinn and Sir Bobby’s Ipswich Town captain Mick Mills.

In addition, the charity event was generously supported by Hartlepool United, Sunderland AFC, Newcastle United, Leeds United and Middlesbrough football clubs who all entered teams into the golf which included players, former players and management.

As well as making The Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Day a truly regional event, their involvement ensured a strong competitive spirit out on the course as they competed alongside teams from local businesses for the trophy.

Lady Elsie Robson says: “I’m thrilled by the generous support from the region’s football clubs and Mick Mills coming all the way from Suffolk. We really appreciate all the efforts they’ve made to join us today.

“I’m also very grateful to everyone who has helped us by contributing auction prizes, buying tickets and raising awareness of The Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Day.

“The money raised will help fund the search for more effective treatments for cancer and will help those people who are currently fighting this terrible disease.

“I know my husband would be very proud to have this wonderful charity event staged in his name.”

In addition to the charity’s Patrons, footballers, former players, executives, managers and coaching staff involved included Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley, Lee Cattermole, Craig Gordon, Michael Turner and Steve Bruce - Middlesbrough’s Matthew Bates, Andrew Taylor, Jason Steele and Adam Johnston who travelled from Manchester to take part.

Hartlepool United’s team comprised Mick Wadsworth, Micky Barron, Ritchie Humphreys and Russ Green and Leeds United’s was made up of Alex Bruce, Billy Paynter, Paul Connolly and Ross McCormack.

In addition, Newcastle United was represented by Mick Martin, John Beresford, Gary Speed, Alan Pardew, John Carver, Steve Stone, Andy Woodman, Ryan Taylor, Alan Smith, Shefki Kuqi, Shola Ameobi, James Perch, Tim Krul, Peter Lovenkrands, Steven Taylor, Steve Harper and Joey Barton.

Steve Gibson, chairman of Middlesbrough and a Patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation said:
“Newcastle was Sir Bobby’s first love there’s no doubt about that but he had a great fondness for Middlesbrough and Sunderland and he loved North East football.

“We don’t want to rest on what’s been achieved. We’d rather focus on that which can still be achieved so that we can make funds available to those who have the ability to make cancer research better.”

Mick Wadsworth, manager of Hartlepool United, worked with Sir Bobby for England and Newcastle United. He said of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation: “He put so much effort into this along with Lady Elsie, his family and the people at the hospital.

“It became a massive thing for him. It’s going to be here for a long, long time and always well supported.”

Alan Shearer, Newcastle United legend and a Patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation said: “We’re at over £3 million now and that’s an incredible amount and an incredible achievement. It’s been a lot of hard work from a lot of people but that’s what everyone promised Sir Bobby before he left us.

“We’re going to continue working very hard and hopefully the money will keep coming in. I’m sure it will.”

Niall Quinn, Sunderland chairman and a Patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, said of Sir Bobby: “He’s about the only person I knew in my lifetime that can get Sunderland people, Newcastle people and Middlesbrough people to come out and pat each other on the back and say nice things to each other.

“And when you think about the good work which is coming out of it as well it’s incredible – a measure of the man.

“Sir Bobby spent a lot of time towards the end of his life going to Sunderland games and our boardroom. He’d have the salt and pepper and be moving them about as players and the winger would be the butter dish. And he was incredible.”

Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper is an active supporter of the charity and played under Sir Bobby. He said of him: “He would have loved to have been here today. Me and Alan Shearer played him and Charlie Woods at golf once and lost as Charlie’s just reminded me.

“It would’ve been nice to get our revenge today but it was just not to be.

“Sir Bobby promoted North East football. He went to watch Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool and took a keen interest in supporting all the North East teams. Hence the turn out you see from those clubs here today.”

The winners of the first Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Day were Leeds United, Sunderland AFC were runners up with an NUFC team in third place.

After playing in the sell out golf day, guests went on to enjoy dinner at the stunning five-star Rockliffe Hall Hotel, including entertainment from comedian Paul Squires, a very special auction and live swing music from Cole Page.

Auction lots included a week’s stay in a luxury four bedroom villa in the Bahamas, rare limited edition and signed autobiographies by both George Best and Pele, tickets to see the sold-out Take That concert at the Stadium of Light and a painting by renowned County Durham pitman artist Tom Lamb entitled ‘From Darkness into Light’ created especially for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

FANTASTIC CHARITY AUCTION

An opportunity to bid in advance for some of the fantastic items available in the auction at Wednesday's 'sold out' Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Day:

Charity Auction Info Link

Lots include a week’s stay in a luxury four bedroom villa in the Bahamas, rare limited edition and signed autobiographies by both George Best and Pele, tickets to see the sold-out Take That concert at the Stadium of Light and a painting by renowned County Durham pitman artist Tom Lamb entitled ‘From Darkness into Light’ created especially for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

For more information regarding dinner tickets or to bid on any of the auction items please contact Karen Thornton-Brown on 0778 2109 758 or email karen@connectvips.com.

STAR-STUDDED GOLF DAY ‘FORE’ THE SIR BOBBY ROBSON FOUNDATION

The football community is uniting to support a very special, star-studded fund-raising event in aid of cancer charity the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation on Wednesday (27 April).

The Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Day and Dinner at beautiful Rockliffe Hall near Darlington is sponsored by Goldchip and marks the first time all of the charity’s high profile Patrons will be together to help raise funds and awareness of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation’s work.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson, Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer, Sunderland AFC chairman Niall Quinn and Sir Bobby’s Ipswich Town captain Mick Mills are all attending to help make the day an especially memorable one.

In addition, the charity event is being supported by Hartlepool United, Sunderland AFC, Newcastle United, Leeds United and Middlesbrough football clubs who are all entering teams into the golf which include players, former players and management.

As well as making The Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Day a truly regional event, their involvement will ensure a strong competitive spirit out on the course as they compete alongside teams from local businesses for the trophy.

Lady Elsie Robson says: “My family, friends and I have been very involved in organising this event and we’re looking forward to it.

“We’re very grateful to everyone who has bought tickets and contributed prizes and time to help make the day a success.

“I’m especially thankful for the wonderful support we’re receiving from the football community. To have our Patrons and the likes of Alan Pardew, Steve Bruce and Mick Wadsworth coming together like this would have made Bob’s day. He would be thrilled and very proud of their support for his charity.

“Sadly we’re all affected by cancer in one way or another and it really puts everything else, including football, into perspective. I’m touched that fans and players from so many different football clubs are joining in and supporting the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

“We hope to raise a good amount of money and awareness through this event and we hope it will be very enjoyable too.”

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 Foundation Trust, which directly benefit cancer patients from across the north east and Cumbria.

Golf teams for The Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Day are sold out however a limited number of dinner tickets are still available at £75 per person. In addition to enjoying dinner at the stunning five-star Rockliffe Hall Hotel, tickets include entertainment from comedian Paul Squires, a very special auction and live swing music from Cole Page.

Bids for auction prizes can also be made in advance of the night. Lots include a week’s stay in a luxury four bedroom villa in the Bahamas, rare limited edition and signed autobiographies by both George Best and Pele, tickets to see the sold-out Take That concert at the Stadium of Light and a painting by renowned County Durham pitman artist Tom Lamb entitled ‘From Darkness into Light’ created especially for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

For more information regarding dinner tickets or to bid on any of the auction items please contact Karen Thornton-Brown on 0778 2109 758 or email karen@connectvips.com.

A ‘QUESTOON’ OF SPORT

A group of Northumbria University students are laying down the sporting knowledge gauntlet by organising a ‘Question of Sport’ style quiz night in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Hosted by television presenter Roger Tames, ‘A Questoon of Sport’ will feature sporting guests including former Newcastle United defender John Beresford and boxer Bradley Saunders from Stockton.

Guests at the event, which is being held at St James’ Park in Newcastle, will have the opportunity to win a place on John and Bradley’s teams and the audience will be challenged to beat the sports stars knowledge throughout the evening.

The seven Sports Management students who are organising the charity night are hoping to raise as much money as possible in aid of Sir Bobby’s cancer charity.

Team member, Adam Crawford, says: “We had the pleasure of meeting Lady Elsie when we were in the early stages of planning this event and she was very supportive. We don’t know how much money we will raise for the charity yet but it’s good to get involved with the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

“We’re planning what we hope will be a really lively night and tickets include a three course meal as well as the sporting quiz. There will be testing questions but we’ve no doubt the audience and John and Bradley’s teams will rise to the challenge.”

Team member, Liam Gill, adds: “Whilst all the team have worked really hard in ensuring everything is in place for an unforgettable night, a big thank you must go out to sponsors Go North East and headline sponsor Porsche and Bentley of Newcastle in particular who are providing five top of the range sports cars for the room.”

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 benefit cancer patients from across the north east and Cumbria.

Lady Elsie says: “The concept for this charity night is very original and the organisers seem very enthusiastic and motivated to succeed.

“As students they may only be in the north east for a relatively short time so it’s good to see them showing such initiative and helping out a regional charity.

“I wish them great success with their studies and this event in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. I’m sure it will be a wonderful night and I’m disappointed I can’t attend.”

Tickets for ‘A Questoon of Sport’ cost £30, which includes a three course meal, while a table of 10 is available for £250. The event starts at 7pm on Sunday 1st May. Please call 0781 248 3110 to book tickets or for more information.

There will be an auction on the night which will include two Porsche track days Croft, Darlington with a value of £1,000 each.

NIALL QUINN ‘BANKING’ ON BARCLAYS SUPPORT

Sunderland AFC chairman Niall Quinn is supporting Barclays’ staff in Sunderland as they raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

On a visit to the bank’s personal customer contact centre in Doxford Park he also announced that the cancer charity has smashed through the £3million fund-raising mark just three years after its launch in March 2008.

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which helps find more effective treatments for cancer, directly benefits patients from across the north east and Cumbria.

Niall, a Patron of the charity, says: “It’s a great pleasure to meet with the Barclays’ team here at Doxford Park. And I think being surrounded by all these enthusiastic Sir Bobby Robson Foundation fund-raisers is a very appropriate place to announce we’ve broken through the £3million mark.

“I’m very proud to represent the charity as a Patron and I know Sir Bobby would also be very proud today knowing how much money has been raised. He was incredibly passionate about his charity and the benefits it brings for local people fighting cancer.

“Sir Bobby used to say when, and not if, when he talked about the experts finding a cure for this terrible disease. It’s that kind of positive thinking which really makes a difference.

“£3.3 million is a huge amount of money and thanks to the support of committed fund-raisers like the Barclays’ staff I’ve met today we can go on and do much more.”

In addition to chatting with Barclays’ fund-raisers, Niall also took time out to pick winning entries from the charity raffle and took a guided tour of the Tyne House contact centre which employs 500 staff.

Christine Allenson, head of Customer Service at Barclays Sunderland Contact Centre, says:
“Barclays encourages all its staff to give their time, skills and talent to the local communities where we live and work. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real and lasting difference and all the staff are delighted to adopt Sir Bobby’s Foundation for the coming year.”

Fund raising activities across the Contact Centre include raffles, quizzes, casual dress down days, bike rides, egg painting competitions and some staff are even entering the Great North Run.

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 benefit cancer patients from across the north east and Cumbria.

In addition to equipping the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care in Newcastle, the charity has funded a specialist research nurse and doctor and contributed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary’s teenage cancer unit.

It has also enhanced a children’s waiting area at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care and funded leukaemia laboratory research equipment.

It most recently announced that it is working with Newcastle University and has purchased an ultra-compact cyclotron which will help with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The cyclotron costs in excess of £500,000 and is only the second of its type in the world and the first in Europe.

Sir Bobby’s family are committed to continuing the work of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation with the help of fund-raisers, donors and Patrons including Niall Quinn, Alan Shearer, Mick Mills and Steve Gibson.