SIR ALEX FERGUSON BACKS SIR BOBBY'S BREAKTHROUGH AUCTION

Sir Alex Ferguson is the latest sports icon to get behind Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Online Charity Auction aiming to raise £1million for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Suffolk Hospitals’ cancer services.

Sir Alex’s prize will no doubt create a bidding frenzy as he enhances Lot 44, a painting of Sir Alex by renowned artist Ben Mosley, by personally inviting the successful bidder and a guest to attend the Manchester United v Newcastle United game on 7th December at Old Trafford, have lunch and then meet Sir Alex and see him sign the painting. 

Ben Mosley painting "Sir Alex Ferguson, The King of Managers" 100x100cm Acrylic on Canvas
In this painting Mosley pays homage to the legendary manager. Sir Alex Ferguson is an icon of the modern game and with 49 trophies to his name is arguably one of the greatest managers of all time. Certainly, his managerial career is the greatest Britain has ever known.

Sir Alex said "I am very proud to support Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Auction in honour of my dear friend Bobby Robson. Sir Bobby was a great friend, a wonderful individual and a tremendous football man.

“The strength and courage he showed over the many years when battling against cancer was indescribable.

“I hope that people around the world will get behind this Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough online auction and help them raise hundreds of thousands of pounds in the fight against cancer."

Sir Alex joins an join an impressive list of sporting stars, celebrities and leading businesses who’ve donated ‘Money can’t buy’ experiences to the auction  including Jose Mourinho, Andre Villas-Boas, Graeme Swann, Kieron Dyer, Bill Nighy, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden. 

Heading into its final week, the auction has now received more than 300 items donated from sports stars, celebrities and leading business to help raise thousands of pounds for cancer services.

Lot 216 ‘Manchester United VIP Package’ will see four guests enjoy a unique experience at the club including seeing the first team train at the Aon Training Complex and a behind the scenes tour of the facility, as well as a private tour of the Old Trafford stadium and museum, executive seats at a match, plus a meet and greet with Manchester United hosts and ex-players in attendance.

A number of football clubs and associations, both in Europe and internationally, who have also donated prizes to watch training sessions including  England, Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, LA Galaxy and Tottenham Hotspur. 

Donated by FC Bayern Munich and Josep Guardiola, a once in a lifetime opportunity is for two people to attend training at FC Bayern Munich, then enjoy a meet and greet with the superstar players and receive a first team signed shirt presented by their manager ‘Pep’ Guardiola himself.

Pep, who played under Sir Bobby Robson in 1996/97 at FC Barcelona, commented: "It was a pleasure to know the great Sir Bobby Robson, not only as a coach, but also as a person. Every day with him was a marvellous experience. It was a very difficult season, even though we won three trophies. Despite the problems of that year, he never lost his composure and always behaved like a gentleman.  I am very happy to donate a special auction prize and I ask everyone around the world to get involved in Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Auction and go to the auction website"

More items will be announced every day as the auction continues, with latest items including a fantastic chance to attend Ascot Park Polo Club Experience, a signed and framed England RFU Rugby Shirt from the 2012/2013 season, a shirt signed by none other than the world famous racer Lewis Hamilton, a signed Chelsea football from the UEFA Champions League 2012 and VIP tickets to see Sunderland AFC v Everton FC

Mark Robson, Sir Bobby’s son, comments: “The online auction is a fantastic way to help us continue the work my father started and raise crucial funds for cancer charities. We are overwhelmed by the generous donation from FIFA. I urge people, clubs and companies to consider donating, however big or small, and bidding to help us reach our £1million target.”

Other amazing sports prizes include a one-off experience to accompany Kieron Dyer as his personal guest to watch Real Madrid play Barcelona (Lot 114),  a private bowling session with Graeme Swann (Lot 35), two tickets for a FC Barcelona home match at Camp Nou (Lot 204), ), a table in the Blue Riband on Ladies Day at Epsom (Lot 242) , access for two lucky teams to play at the famous Essex Cricket Ground (Lot 207) and tickets to three events that are not normally open to the public; the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala ceremony in Zurich (Lot no 103), the PFA awards in London (Lot 10) and VIP tickets to watch both sessions of the 2014 World Snooker Final at Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with a backstage tour and full hospitality (Lot 183).

Gina Long, the auction founder, said “It is so exciting now that Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Online Charity Auction has started and the auction prizes are simply fantastic. The only way we have a hope to raise our £1,000,000 is if people get behind the auction and register to bid. There is an equal split from the 300 amazing prizes of sport and lifestyle; there is literally something for everyone. To have Sir Alex Ferguson’s support and for him to not only be enhancing one of our very special auction prizes and add his own personal donation to it, is incredible!”

Proudly backed by headline supporter BT Sport runs until Sunday 27th October, Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough will raise crucial funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and cancer services within two Suffolk Hospitals.

The auction is now live and to view the catalogue pf prizes and sign up to bid please visit: http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/sir-bobbys-breakthrough-auction-and-ball?utm_source=sir-bobby&utm_medium=landing-page&utm_campaign=sir-bobby&utm_content=catlink.

ALAN SHEARER’S RUN GEORDIE RUN OZ SEND OFF

Charity runner Mark Allison, better known as Run Geordie Run, begins an epic 2,600 mile challenge to cross Australia today (Wednesday 16 October).

Thousands of miles from his home in North East England (Blyth, Northumberland), Mark set off this morning at 7am Perth time (midnight GMT)  knowing that, to successfully complete the journey, he will have to endure the searing heat of ‘the outback’ and run approximately 41 miles a day for 70 days.

The run is in partnership with the North East’s largest Motor Group, Benfield, and Mark is putting himself through all this to raise funds for two charities that are very close to his heart - The Children’s Foundation and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Before he left his native Tyneside, Mark met up with Alan Shearer, a Patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, to discuss the run and the enormous preparation and training it has required.

Alan says: “It was a pleasure to meet up with Mark and to wish him good luck.  What he’s attempting is incredible.  When I went to Australia it was seriously hot and not conditions that made me feel like running so I have huge admiration for what he is taking on."

“I know he has his own reasons to want to raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.  I hope that knowing he’s helping other people faced with cancer will spur him on when the run gets difficult.

“And it will get difficult, both physically and mentally.  I know he’s worked hard to prepare but he also knows there will be dark times when it just feels too tough to continue.

“I was pleased to have the opportunity to see him before he left for Australia and to thank him on behalf of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.  He’s doing something very special.”

Mark, who has previously run across America for charity, sets off from Cottesloe Beach, Perth and is due to finish on Christmas Eve at Bondi Beach, Sydney.

Sadly, Mark lost both his parents to cancer when he was a young man and he has spent 20 years raising funds for good causes in the North East of England.  To date, thanks to the generosity of many kind people, he has raised over £170,000.

Mark says: “It was an honour to meet up with Alan to discuss the run across Australia. Like many people in the North East that I meet, he had a lot of supportive things to say and seemed very appreciative of the task that lies ahead for me.

“To meet one of my idols, a man who I've seen score hundreds of goals home and away, and talk about my running and the charities I raise funds for was thrilling.  It will be something I cast my mind back to while running though the outback, I'm sure.

“It seemed fitting that we had our picture taken with the Tyne Bridge in the background.  Next time I see a bridge that shape will be in Sydney at the end of the run.

“People keep asking me if I’m nervous.  Really, I’m just anxious to get going.  I’ve been talking about this run for so long now and it’s time to put those words into action.

“I need to justify the support I’ve had from my sponsors and from the generous people who have already donated to the two charities.  I can’t wait to get going.”

Mark is passionate about the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation because it funds projects that directly benefit cancer patients from across the North East and Cumbria. The charity’s medical trustees are always looking for the next promising breakthrough in cancer detection and treatment.

SIR BOBBY'S BREAKTHROUGH AUCTION NOW UNDERWAY

Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Online Charity Auction is officially underway in a bid to raise £1million and the latest item is a money-can’t-buy experience with Manchester United.

The latest item has already had over 20 bids and will see two guests enjoy hospitality in the Premier Lounge, a four course meal and access to a Manchester United match of their choice.

Manchester United join an impressive list of sporting stars, celebrities and leading businesses who have donated to the auction including Jose Mourinho, Andre Villas-Boas, Graeme Swann, Kieron Dyer, Bill Nighy, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden. 

In 2011, Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Online Charity Auction brought you Mourinho’s FIFA Ballon d’Or 2010 World Coach of the Year Trophy.

This year, the online auction has upped the ante – with the world famous Fifa Ballon d’Or joining the growing list of money-can’t-buy experiences.

The ceremony recognises the best player and manager of 2013 as voted by international journalists, coaches and players. Attended by football’s biggest names, this is the ultimate football fan experience and an opportunity to mingle with Sir Bobby’s peers and protégés.

Joseph Blatter, FIFA President reflects on the former England manager “I have always held Sir Bobby Robson in very high esteem. In 2009 we presented the FIFA Fair Play Award to his widow, Lady Elsie in memory of Sir Bobby, a man who represented all the good qualities of football.”

More items will be announced every day as the auction continues, with latest items including a VIP Bayern Munich Experience with a presentation by Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola, a table in the Blue Riband on Ladies Day at Ascot and a one-off experience to accompany Kieron Dyer as his personal guest to watch Real Madrid play Barcelona.

Mark Robson, Sir Bobby’s son, comments, “The online auction is a fantastic way to help us continue the work my father started and raise crucial funds for cancer charities. We are overwhelmed by the generous donation from FIFA. I urge people, clubs and companies to consider donating, however big or small, and bidding to help us reach our £1million target.”

Other amazing sports prizes include two tickets for a FC Barcelona home match at Camp Nou, a day at Derby County Football Club in the Toyota Suite, access for two lucky teams to play at the famous Essex Cricket Ground, a fantastic chance for two to attend an England Senior Men’s football team training session ahead of an England home international fixture in 2014 and a Tottenham Hotspur experience including lunch with Manager, Andre Villas-Boas.

Gina Long, the auction founder, said “It is so exciting to launch the Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Online Charity Auction with this incredible item from FIFA. I encourage everyone to head to the website and register to bid as an item like this is bound to be a favourite with football fans! Not into football? Check out our other auction items, there is literally something for everyone!”

Running from 10 – 27 October, Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough will raise crucial funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and cancer services within two Suffolk Hospitals.

Proudly backed by headline supporter BT Sport, Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough auction items for 2013 include tickets to the JLS goodbye concert, lunch with Bill Nighy, flights, accommodation and tickets to see the Real Madrid v Barcelona game in the Bernabeu Stadium as Kieron Dyer’s special guest, a VIP trip to next year’s F1 in Monaco by private ‘Eclipse’ jet, incredible sporting art from Ben Mosley, a week sailing on a luxury catamaran ‘Akasha’, a one-on-one personal bowling tuition with England cricketer Graeme Swann at Lords, Paul Gascoigne’s England shirt from a pre-Italia ‘90 training game, the opportunity to have a team play a six-a-side tournament at St. George's Park in 2014 and a week-long stay at The Brewers House in Southwold donated by Adnams.

The auction is now live– to bid go to www.sirbobbysbreakthrough.comand click the ‘Regsiter to Bid’ button.
 
*Visit www.sirbobbysbreakthrough.com for full terms and conditions. Accommodation and flights not included. 

STEVE HARPER NETS £327,833 FOR SIX NORTH EAST CHARITIES

Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper returned to St. James’ Park today to hand over a cheque for £327,833 which will benefit six North East charities.

The funds were raised as part of the Steve Harper 20 Years Charity Match which took place between Newcastle United and AC Milan legends teams at the stadium on Wednesday 11th September, honouring Harper’s 20-year spell with the Magpies between 1993 and 2013.

As well as boosting three principal beneficiaries – the Newcastle United Foundation, Great North Children’s Hospital and Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, there will now also be a share for the Alan Shearer Foundation, Clarke Lister Brain Haemorrhage Foundation and Toma Fund after overwhelming support from kind-hearted fans.

Almost 51,000 supporters packed out St. James’ Park for the one-off match, which saw some of the biggest names in British and Italian football descend on Tyneside to take part. Harper and ex-Toon teammates including Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley and Andy Cole narrowly lost 2-1 on penalties to a Milan side featuring Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacturta following a 0-0 draw.

Steve Harper said: “I’m thrilled that the game has raised so much for these fantastic causes. These are charities which are very close to my heart and which mean a lot to many, many people in the region so it’s a pleasure to be able to make a positive difference to their work.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along and supported the event and for making it such a special night. Knowing the North East as I do, such incredible support shouldn’t surprise me but it was overwhelming to have 51,000 people turning out. On behalf of the charities, we’re incredibly grateful.”

The Steve Harper 20 Years Charity Match was organised by the Newcastle United Foundation, which worked closely with Carl Dunn of Azzurri Sports Management and counterparts at AC Milan’s own Foundation to secure Milan Glorie appearance.

The Foundation, the official registered charity of Newcastle United, relies on independent funding to continue working with 47,000 young people and families in the North East each year and will channel its share of the proceeds into community projects across North and South Tyneside, County Durham and Northumberland.

Kate Bradley, head of the Newcastle United Foundation, said: “It was a privilege to not only organise the match on Steve’s behalf but to also help raise such a phenomenal amount for causes which help so many people throughout the region.

“The Newcastle United Foundation is celebrating its fifth anniversary this season, which is a significant milestone for us. The funds raised will assist us in working with even more disadvantaged young people and families than before as we bring the football club and the community closer. Our heartfelt thanks go to Steve for leaving this legacy from his 20 years at Newcastle United.”

Liz Luff, from the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, said: “The match was incredible. It was a very special evening and Steve deserved it after 20 years with the club. We were thrilled to be a part of the occasion and so pleased that Steve has chosen us as one of the beneficiaries.

“The funds will help us with the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation’s main aim which is to help find more effective ways to detect and treat cancer. Sadly far too many people know the pain that cancer causes families. We can do something about it and we are doing something about it and, thanks to people like Steve, we can continue to build on the legacy that Sir Bobby left us.”

Pauline Buglass, head of fundraising at Newcastle Hospitals, said: “We are absolutely honoured to have been chosen by Steve as one of the beneficiaries. The Great North Children’s Hospital is a fantastic facility and the generosity of Steve and everyone who supported the event will mean we can enhance the specialist care we offer to children and families across the North of England and even further afield.”