Sir Bobby's Breakthrough Auction ended last night (Sunday 23 October) and raised an incredible £202,774 for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
The auction, and a ball in Suffolk held on Thursday (20th October), were organised by volunteer fund-raiser Gina Long in memory of Sir Bobby Robson and her friend breast cancer campaigner Sally Balch.
Gina is rightly proud of what has been achieved and says: "Sir Bobby's Breakthrough Auction and Ball has been a magnificent success.
"This has all been made possible because of the enormous love and respect for Sir Bobby Robson, who I was privileged to call a great friend.
"So many football clubs wanted to do their bit to honour Sir Bobby and the support from auction prize donors, sponsors, individuals, companies and the generous bidders have helped make it a huge success and way beyond our wildest dreams.
"I did this in memory of Sir Bobby and my beautiful friend Sally Balch who lost her battle with breast cancer. I hope the fantastic auction committee, who have worked so hard, have done them justice."
Over £50,000 was raised at Sir Bobby's Breakthrough Ball, which was held in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, and attended by Lady Elsie Robson and Sir Bobby Robson Foundation Patrons Mick Mills and Delia Smith.
All other funds were raised through the two week online auction which featured 188 incredible lots including television, driving and sporting experiences, sports memorabilia, luxury treats, dining, jewellery, clothing and holidays. It was supported by Sir Bobby's former teams, football clubs as far away as Oregon, USA, and representatives from the world of rugby, horse racing, golf, snooker, tennis, cricket and more.
Sir Alex Ferguson, Gary Lineker, Ant and Dec, Katherine Jenkins, Graeme Swann, Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola, Arsene Wenger, Denise Welch, Andre Villas-Boas, Harry Redknapp and Fabio Capello are just some of the high profile names who donated very special prizes and helped make the auction such a success.
The star lot was Jose Mourinho's FIFA Ballon D'Or World Coach of the Year Award 2010 trophy, which raised a staggering £26,000.
Other prizes included:
• FC Barcelona experience with personal presentation by Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola
• Two match tickets and hospitality at 2012 UEFA Champions League final
• David Beckham signed shirt and ball
• Wimbledon Centre Court tickets to the 2012 Championship
• Watch England training session with Fabio Capello and signed shirt presentation
• A silver replica of the cup ‘Taca de Portugal,’ won by FC Porto under the management of Sir Bobby
• Ipswich Town FC experience to play on the Portman Road turf and be coached by legendary player
• Two tickets to the final of Britain`s Got Talent 2012
• Red Arrows VIP day at RAF Scampton
• England rugby shirt and tickets to a 6 nations game
• Customised vintage Milner safe, professionally restored with a Newcastle United legends theme
• Tickets to Katherine Jenkins Daydream tour and a meet and greet after the show
• Behind the scenes tour of the BBC Match of the Day studios with Gary Lineker
• Create your own genuine Branston Pickle experience
• Tea for two and a tour of the House of Commons
• Luxury Grand Bahama island holiday
• A Loose Women TV experience as guests of Denise Welch
• Luxury three bedroom villa holiday in Carvoeiro, Western Algarve, Portugal
• VIP football experiences at Rangers, Celtic, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Doncaster Rovers, Hull City, Cardiff City, Swansea, Millwall, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers, Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Coventry City, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United, Colchester United, Burnley, Fulham, Ipswich Town, West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham City, Bolton, Wigan, Sheffield United, Bristol City, Watford, Norwich City, Derby County, Liverpool, Everton, Leicester City, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Sunderland AFC, Porto, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, and Portland Timbers (Oregon, USA) football clubs
Lady Elsie Robson says: "Sir Bobby's Breakthrough Auction has taken a tremendous amount of effort. My family and I are extremely grateful to Gina for her vision, hard work and enthusiasm in creating this ambitious charity venture.
"We're also very appreciative of all the many people who have pitched in and helped by volunteering their time, expertise and incredible auction prizes.
"When my husband and I launched our charity in 2008 Bob said he felt like he was at the helm of a team again. What he called his last and greatest team and taking on a challenge far greater than any football match.
"We began with the aim to equip a centre to trial new cancer drugs and we've been able to fulfil that ambition and do so much more.
"Our medical trustees are always looking for the next breakthrough, the next promising investment into cancer equipment or training. Always looking to fulfil Bob's ambition to provide truly world class facilities for others fighting cancer.
"Sadly cancer affects us all in one way or another, but with us all pulling together, one day we will beat it."
