A fantastic online auction with over 130 fantastic prizes that aims to raise £250,000 for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Breakthrough Breast Cancer officially begins on Saturday 8 October.
An array of priceless sporting memorabilia donated by luminaries at home and abroad head the fabulous auction which runs for two weeks at www.sirbobbysbreakthroughauction.com.
The likes of Brazil legend Pele, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola and the great Sir Alex Ferguson and other football royalty have donated auction items – highlighting the impact Sir Bobby had on the world game.
His former clubs, Newcastle and Ipswich Town, have also donated fantastic prizes. Jose Mourinho, the Real Madrid coach who worked with Sir Bobby, has donated the most significant personal trophy he has landed so far in his phenomenal career - his FIFA Ballon D’Or World Coach of the Year trophy.
But fantastic sporting memorabilia from the likes of Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas, a host of Premier League clubs and sporting stars such as Lewis Hamilton and Graeme Swann are just the tip of the iceberg for an auction which has more than 130 items going under the virtual hammer.
Also on offer is a true once in a lifetime opportunity for two people to watch training at FC Barcelona, arguably one of the greatest teams ever. Meet and greet with the superstar players and receive a first team signed shirt presented by their manager Pep Guardiola himself. Plus two tickets for a FC Barcelona home match at the Nou Camp, one of the world's truly great stadiums.
Pep Guardiola said “I encourage everybody to take part in this charity initiative for Sir Bobby Robson. For us as a club and for myself it is an honour to participate and to have the opportunity to invite two persons to come and visit our training session, attend a game at our stadium and receive a signed shirt from our players. I encourage everybody in England and around the world to contribute in this and to fight against cancer by supporting Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Auction.”
Mr Guardiola was interviewed about why FC Barcelona are supporting the auction on the club's website here.
Further prizes include a 24-hour supercar experience, a week at a luxury resort in the Bahamas and a personal tour of Alnwick Castle given by the Duchess of Northumberland are other highlights.
The auction, and an associated lavish fundraising ball, was the brainchild of Gina Long, a friend of the Robson family, who wanted to organise a fundraising event to truly honour Sir Bobby and also Breakthrough Breast Cancer, which she is a passionate supporter of and Chair of The West Suffolk Group.
Gina Long, Founder, added: “I have been truly touched and overwhelmed by the generosity of every single donation of an auction item and messages of goodwill and support.
“We set out to raise as much money as possible for these two wonderful charities and as we launch this wonderful auction, I know we are heading in the right direction.
“I would now ask everyone to take a look at the wonderful auction list as there really is something for everyone. Please offer what you can to help make a difference to people suffering from this wretched disease. You can also help make a big difference by simply texting SBBA11 £3 to 70070.”
Mark Robson, Sir Bobby’s son and part of the Auction Organising Committee, said: “We are hugely appreciative of every single individual or organisation which has donated something for the auction or offered their support.
“My dad would have been so proud at the way everyone has pulled together by contributing such incredible prizes.”
The auction is being held in memory of Sir Bobby and breast cancer fundraiser Sally Balch.
It will run on-line for two weeks from this Saturday 8th October until Sunday 23rd October – and aims, alongside the fundraising ball, to raise £250,000 for both charities. You can register to bid from Saturday on the website and the full list of superb prizes can be found at www.sirbobbysbreakthroughauction.com.
Adam Clark, Project Manager, said “It is an incredible campaign. Every day we hear from someone who wants to help or has something to donate. The support for what we are doing has been amazing. The quantity, breadth and quality of the items donated to the auction lies testament to the combined reach of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.”
The auction is being supported by HRH the Prince of Wales, Prime Minister David Cameron, culinary legend Delia Smith, John McCarthy and former Ipswich Town stars George Burley, Alan Brazil and Mick Mills MBE.
David Sheepshanks, a member of the organising committee, said: “Sir Bobby Robson was loved across the entire football world.
“He touched so many people’s lives and it is only fitting that so many people across football, sport and beyond have got behind this wonderful auction.
“I now urge everyone to start bidding to help raise as much money as possible for these two wonderful charities.”
For more details on the fundraiser or to make a donation or for more information go to: www.sirbobbysbreakthroughauction.com or follow via Twitter @sirbobbyauction
