ICONIC FOOTBALL CREATED IN AID OF THE SIR BOBBY ROBSON FOUNDATION

Top footballers today enjoy lavish lifestyles which are beyond the dreams of even their most famous and talented counterparts from the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

And while the likes of Middlesbrough’s Matthew Bates essentially play the same game as legendary players like Wilf Mannion the equipment they use is very different.

One key element which has changed completely is the ball and now The Old Fashioned Football Shirt Company (TOFFS) has created a replica of the old style laced leather footballs to celebrate the life of Sir Bobby Robson and in aid of his cancer charity.

TOFFS company secretary Michele Finch, who runs the business with her husband Alan, says: “Sir Bobby is usually remembered these days as a hugely successful manager but he was a gifted player too. Not only did he play 627 games of club football, he also proudly represented his country on 20 occasions.

“The game then was very different and the players had to contend with heavy pitches, boots and kit. That was nothing compared to the weight of the ball itself though. In wet weather and after it became caked with mud they became extremely heavy and difficult to control.

“Famously the leather footballs were also very painful when the player headed a strong ball and made contact with the lace stitching which held the whole thing together so they were not an ideal design.”

The TOFFS old style leather football celebrates both the professional managerial and playing career of Sir Bobby. All of his teams and the number of appearances he made are represented on the ball with a gold printed roll of honour.

It tells the story of Sir Bobby’s football life through England, Fulham and West Bromwich Albion, and as a manager for Fulham, Ipswich Town, England, overseas to PSV Eindhoven, Sporting CP, Porto, Barcelona and back home to his roots with Newcastle United.

Michele adds: “When we decided to raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation we came up with a host of ideas. We wanted to recreate a piece of history to celebrate the life of such a legend and help to raise funds and awareness for his cancer charity.

“It had to be something special though and throughout our 20 year history producing thousands of shirts which cover the eras in which Sir Bobby played and managed, we had never produced a ball.

“The leather laced up ball is now iconic and takes us back to another and very different age of football. It showcases the incredible football career of a great man and everyone at TOFFS is proud that by creating this football we are also helping a wonderful charity.”

Pauline Buglass, head of fundraising for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, says: “Sir Bobby would no doubt be fascinated by this football. I’m sure it would have brought back a lot of memories for him.

“His football career was remarkable and it’s incredible to think he played in an era when these heavy balls were used and then went on to manage in the very different world of today’s Premier League.

“Hopefully it will sell extremely well in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. We’re very grateful for the ongoing support we’re receiving so we can continue Sir Bobby’s wish to tackle cancer through new and more effective treatments.”

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation football retails at £49.95 and 20 per cent of the proceeds of the sale will go to the charity. It is available only from www.toffs.com or by calling 0191 4913500.

Thanks to fantastic ongoing support, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has now raised over £2.5 million to fight cancer.

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.

It recently announced that it is working with Newcastle University and has committed to buying a Biomarker Generator, an ultra-compact cyclotron which will help with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other serious diseases and costing in excess of £500,000.

The cyclotron works by creating radioactive tracers which are given to patients who subsequently undergo scan to provide information on cancer and other diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The information collected from imaging radioactive tracers helps doctors to understand where the disease is in each patient, how serious the disease is, and the underlying processes and pathways that are sustaining the illness.

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

OCEAN TO OCEAN CHARITY CYCLISTS

An ambitious group of north east cyclists are undertaking a sponsored coast to coast ride with a difference by cycling from Chile’s Pacific coast to the Atlantic Ocean in Argentina. The 1,000 mile challenge includes crossing the Andes mountain range and cycling around 100 miles a day.

The six riders are funding the trip themselves and raising money in aid of cancer charity the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. They are Duncan Dollimore (Whitley Bay), Jimmy Logue (Benton), John O’Neil (Chester le Street), Kevin Waugh (Low Fell), Gary Riley (Felling) and Andrew Morland (Low Fell).

Their 12-day ride is now underway and they have already hit a major snag when one of their bikes failed to arrive at Satiago Airport, one of their main concerns before setting off. As a result the group are now taking turns riding what they describe as ‘Chilean boneshaker of a bike’.

Organiser Kevin Waugh says: “We planned everything in great detail but there will always be unexpected issues to resolve.

“Just after New Year an earthquake hit central Chile and destroyed a railway bridge which we were supposed to be crossing on our train journey to our starting point in Constitucion. This means we’ll have to lug all six bikes and equipment on to the replacement bus service so I’m sure we’ll be popular with other travellers.

“We’ve all trained really hard but it has been difficult due to the weather and the snow has affected our preparation. We’re very determined though and raising money in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is really motivating.

“Our generation has too few heroes but Sir Bobby gave us hope that great men still appear from time to time. It seems unlikely to us that we'll see another man like him which makes it easy to dedicate the biggest trip of our lives to his charity.”

Kevin and his co-riders were seen off on their epic journey by Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer OBE who is an enthusiastic patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and no stranger to cycling himself.

In 2008 Alan and fellow television presenter Adrian Chiles cycled from Newcastle to London via West Bromwich in aid of the Sport Relief charity. They completed the 335 miles in just two days.

Alan says: “I really admire these guys and know from experience just how hard this will be for them.

“It is a real test of endurance and believe me the ride will take its toll on more than just their lungs and legs. Bike saddles are not the comfiest things to sit on for any great length of time as Adrian and I found out.

“They all sound very confident though which is good and they know they are doing all this for a great cause.

“It’s because of committed fund-raisers like these lads that we’re able to keep building on Sir Bobby’s legacy and continue to help local cancer patients.”

Lady Elsie, Sir Bobby’s widow, also sent the group a good luck message before they set off saying: "I would like to thank you and your families so much for all your efforts in training and organising your South American cycle ride.

“I hope you complete it safely and look forward to meeting up with you all upon your return."

The Ocean to Ocean Bike Ride begins at Constitucion, Chile, on January 9 and ends at Atlantic Beach in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on January 19. It takes in the Andes mountain range and one of the highest passes between Chile and Argentina. The group will cycle close to the crash site of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which was the subject of film and book Alive.

More information, how to make a donation and regular updates from South America are available via the website www.aridetoremember.co.uk.

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation was launched by Sir Bobby in March 2008 and has gone on to raise more than £2.5 million to fight cancer.

It operates within the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust to provide services not yet available within the NHS and directly benefits patients across the north east and Cumbria

The charity recently announced it is working with Newcastle University and is jointly committed to buying a Biomarker Generator, an ultra-compact cyclotron which will help with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. It is only the second of its type in the world and the first in Europe and costs more than £500,000.

SEASONAL GOOD WISHES AND THANKS!

Sir Bobby's family would like to thank fund-raisers for their hard work and support during 2010.

Everyone connected with the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is looking forward to another successful year in 2011 raising funds to fight cancer.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!

A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER IN SO MANY WAYS...

A dvd produced in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation last year has already raised over £95,000 for the cancer charity and is selling well ahead of this Christmas.

Directed and produced by Geoff Wonfor and Ray Laidlaw, ‘A Knight to Remember’ contains exclusive footage of Sir Bobby’s final interviews and features contributions from high profile names from sport and entertainment including Gary Lineker, Sir Bobby Charlton, Ant and Dec, Des Lynam, Brendan Foster, Shay Given, Sir Alex Ferguson, Malcolm Macdonald, Jack Charlton, Bob Moncur, Steve Cram and Paul Gascoigne.

It also includes an introduction from Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer OBE who was on hand to receive the cheque for the money raised so far in his capacity as a patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Alan says: “I’m very impressed by the amount A Knight to Remember has already raised and hopefully the dvd will be in a few Christmas stockings this year too.

“It’s a fantastic tribute to a great man and something I was happy to help with. It’s very funny in parts and understandably emotional in others. Ray and Geoff have done a great job with it and the money raised will be well spent helping people in the north east and Cumbria fighting cancer.”

In addition to interviews and footage from Sir Bobby’s career and fund-raising efforts, ‘Auf Wiedersehen Pet’ stars Tim Healy, Kevin Whately and Jimmy Nail perform a very special version of the Blaydon Races especially for the dvd, while each of Sir Bobby’s three sons offers a very personal perspective of the man who was simply ‘Dad.’

Geoff says: “Conducting Sir Bobby's final TV interviews was a career highlight for us and we are thrilled that the DVD is raising significant funds for his foundation.”

A Knight to Remember is priced at £17 and is available from JG Windows, HMV shops, nufc.co.uk and all good DVD retailers.

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation was launched by Sir Bobby in March 2008 and has gone on to raise more than £2.5 million to fight cancer.

It operates within the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust to provide services not yet available within the NHS and directly benefits patients across the north east and Cumbria

The charity recently announced it is working with Newcastle University and has jointly committed to buying a Biomarker Generator, an ultra-compact cyclotron which will help with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. It is only the second of its type in the world and the first in Europe and costs more than £500,000.

NEW CANCER EQUIPMENT IS FIRST OF ITS KIND IN EUROPE

When Sir Bobby Robson launched his charity in 2008 it was his heartfelt ambition to help fund world class cancer research and treatment within the north east. Today marks another significant step forward in fulfilling his ambition as the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Newcastle University announce major investment into cancer research equipment, which is the first of its kind in Europe.

Newcastle University and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation have committed to buying a Biomarker Generator, an ultra-compact cyclotron from ABT Molecular Imaging, Inc. (Knoxville, Tennessee, US), which will help with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other serious diseases.

Only the second of its type in the world, it will be the first in Europe, and will help in the development of new cancer treatments to save lives.

ABT sells the Biomarker Generator for close to £1,000,000 and its purchase has been made possible thanks to incredible support from fund-raisers and donations to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and it will directly benefit cancer patients from across the north east and Cumbria.

The Biomarker Generator works by creating radioactive tracers which are given to patients who subsequently undergo scans (also known as imaging)to provide information on cancer and other diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The information collected from imaging radioactive tracers helps doctors to understand where the disease is in each patient, how serious the disease is, and the underlying processes and pathways that are sustaining the illness.

Herbie Newell, Professor of Cancer Therapeutics at the Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, explained: “This is a piece of equipment which will help us enormously in our fight against cancer. It is a really powerful technology which will allow us to assess which patients are most likely to benefit from particular types of drug or radiation therapy, and whether the treatments are working. It will especially help us with our research into new and better ways of treating cancer.

“As well as being valuable in diagnosing certain cancers, neurological and cardiac diseases, it can also help to show where drugs are going in the body. For individual patients it will help us work out whether drugs are working or if a different approach to treatment might be better."

Announcing investment into the Biomarker Generator marks a proud day for Sir Bobby’s widow, Lady Elsie Robson, and for his family and supporters of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Lady Elsie said: “My husband was whole hearted in everything he set out to do and when he launched this charity he wanted to help fund the very best in terms of cancer research and treatment.

“My family and I are incredibly proud to know that his legacy continues to grow with the funding of this equipment and I know he would be bursting with pride too.

“Bob described this charity as his last and greatest team and that’s what it continues to be.
“Every single penny raised in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation helps in the fight against this terrible disease and I am very grateful for the ongoing efforts of all our wonderful supporters. Each and every one of them is part of this fantastic achievement and with continued support we will find more effective treatments for cancer.”

Newcastle has invested heavily over recent years in the development of imaging facilities for both clinical and research use. The cyclotron builds on support from the Regional Development Agency ONE North East, Cancer Research UK, and the Engineering and Physical Sciences and Medical Research Councils.

The cyclotron will be housed in a newly built ‘specialist environment’ in the School of Chemistry at Newcastle University. The ‘specialist environment’ is a requirement when making agents that will be administered to patients, and the University is funding this aspect of the project. The Head of the School of Chemistry, Professor Mike Green commented: “The purchase of the Biomarker Generator is the last piece in the jigsaw, and when this facility opens in summer 2011 we will have a fully integrated imaging facility in Newcastle.”

“The facility will be run by an extremely talented radiochemist, Dr Mike Carroll.
The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation was launched by Sir Bobby in March 2008 and has gone on to raise more than £2.5 million to fight cancer.

MOUNT EVEREST CHALLENGE BEGINS AT NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY

In December a Newcastle councillor will be taking on the world’s highest mountain in aid of north east cancer charity the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Dipu Ahad from Elswick is trekking to Everest base camp, which is more than 5,550m above sea level where acute mountain sickness (AMS) poses a serious risk.

Intense preparation for this tough physical challenge is vital and Dipu is undertaking a strenuous diet and fitness regime with advice from Northumbria University’s Sports Science experts.

Not only that, the university is now equipped to acclimatise him for the difficult environmental conditions he will face thanks to a new state-of-the-art environmental chamber which was installed this week.

Dr Glyn Howatson, exercise physiologist and Laboratory Director in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, explains: “MyPhD student Jamie Tallent and I have been putting Dipu through his paces to get him in peak condition for his trek to Everest Base Camp.

“And we can now help him even further using our new environmental chamber which is the only one of its kind in the North East and is able to simulate heat, cold, humidity and altitude environments.

“We’re thrilled to have it as it makes it possible for us to simulate almost any environment on the earth’s surface here in Newcastle.

“It will give the team an idea about how Dipu will respond to the challenge of ‘thinner air’ and how much time he will need to acclimatise to the dizzy heights of Everest. The harder he finds it now, the more time he will need to invest in his preparation.”

The new environmental chamber at Northumbria University will be used for projects including research into physical and mental response to occupational tasks in challenging environments, acclimatisation and support for teaching so students can experience at first-hand what it is like to conduct simple tasks in physically demanding conditions.

It also offers opportunities for research into medical conditions like respiratory diseases, testing equipment in extreme conditions and will provide the region’s athletes with a facility to acclimatise to heat, cold and altitude prior to competition.

Dipu says: “I’ll be fulfilling a personal ambition when I reach Everest Base Camp. The training is very hard as I have been undertaking a strict and strenuous training and diet regime but I’m very determined and Glyn and his team have been hugely helpful. This time last year my body fat was 31.3 per cent and now I’m down to 17.9 per cent,I know their training advice is definitely working for me.

“I will be taking the more difficult and dangerous route to the base camp via Gokyo Lakes which adds an extra three to four days than the normal trekking route. In December the weather will be colder than the normal peak trekking season – all of which adds to the challenge.

“I’m also committed to raising as much money in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation as possible through the trek. It’s an important charity to me personally and I will do anything I can to help fund research into cancer and to help patients in the north east is a privilege.

“Cancer is not a disease which is often openly discussed in the Asian community and I’d like to change that too. There needs to be more awareness with regards to cancer in these communities and that help and advice is readily available.”

Dipu is funding his trek himself, including flights, food and accommodation, and every penny of sponsorship will go directly to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. To sponsor Dipu please visit www.justgiving.com/trek2everest.

NIALL QUINN BECOMES A PATRON OF THE SIR BOBBY ROBSON FOUNDATION

Sir Bobby Robson’s family is proud to announce today that Sunderland AFC chairman, Niall Quinn, has agreed to become a Patron of north east cancer charity the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Niall joins Alan Shearer, Ipswich legend Mick Mills and Middlesbrough FC chairman Steve Gibson as official representatives of the charity, which benefits patients from across the whole region.

Sir Bobby was a frequent visitor to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light and often talked of the warm reception he received at the club. After he lost his hard fought battle with cancer last July Sunderland fans sang Sir Bobby’s name at a pre-season friendly against Celtic. It was a very touching expression of respect – particularly given Sir Bobby’s association with the club’s rivals Newcastle United.

Lady Elsie said: “My family and I are very happy that Niall has agreed to become a Patron of the charity. His involvement is greatly appreciated and we know Bob would have backed our decision to ask Niall for help to carry on the fund-raising work.

“Newcastle United was his first love but my husband wanted success for all the north east teams and we’ve always had wonderful support from Sunderland Football Club and its fans.

“When Newcastle were away from home Bob often enjoyed football at the Riverside or the Stadium of Light. He had great respect for Niall, Steve Bruce and everyone else at Sunderland and enjoyed their company very much.

“Some things go beyond football and anyone who has been through the pain of seeing a loved one fighting this terrible disease will know that.”

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation was launched by Sir Bobby in March 2008 and it has gone on to raise more than £2.5 million to fight cancer within the region. Its main focus is funding research into more effective cancer treatments and the clinical trials of new anti cancer drugs.

The charity operates within the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust to provide services not yet available within the NHS. Every project it funds benefits patients from across the north east and Cumbria.

Talking about his new role as a Patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Niall said: "I remember the night this Foundation was launched, and today a thousand patients are receiving help from Sir Bobby's efforts. That is incredible.

"The absolute answer was yes when I was asked to become a Patron. In keeping with Sir Bobby's way of being loved everywhere he wanted the places he was revered most to be covered by Patrons.

"Alan, Steve, myself and Mick can't come near what Sir Bobby has done through football and his life, but we are determined to keep the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation moving forward."

Andrew Robson, Sir Bobby’s son, added: “When my dad launched his cancer charity I don’t think he realised quite how successful it would become. The ongoing support we receive from fund-raisers is incredible and very much appreciated.

“We recently passed the £2.5 million mark and every penny is being spent helping people fighting cancer in the north east and Cumbria.

“My mum, my brothers and I are all very committed to continuing the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation’s important work and we couldn’t do that without the help of our fantastic patrons who also include Mick Mills, Alan Shearer and Steve Gibson.

“I know my father would be very proud and grateful to know that his charity is represented by such well respected football men from Suffolk, Tyneside, Teesside and Wearside.

“We had hoped to make this announcement about Niall earlier in the year but were unable to do so due to the travel situation caused by the volcanic ash clouds.

“We’re very happy to be able to do so now and, on behalf of my family, it gave me enormous pleasure to express our thanks and to welcome Niall to his new role as a Patron of Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.”