UK Press Association

Shearer made patron of Robson fund

15th October 2009

Football hero Alan Shearer will be named as the new patron of Sir Bobby Robson's cancer research charity.

He will meet Sir Bobby's widow Lady Elsie and sons Paul, Andrew and Mark, who asked him to join the cancer-fighting cause following the former England soccer manager's death in July.

The foundation was set up with the aim of raising £500,000 to equip a cancer trials centre in Newcastle and the figure now stands at more than £1.8 million.

Shearer said: "It was a huge honour for me to be asked by Sir Bobby's family to join his charity as patron and I was very happy to accept. Bobby's death left a gaping hole in football and within the North East as a region. He's a man I admired greatly and I know I'll continue to miss him in the coming years. He is completely irreplaceable and the esteem he was held in became very apparent after he passed away. The outpouring of affection and respect for him was phenomenal and it's not something we are likely to see again."

The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the Freeman Hospital opened in February, less than a year after fundraising started. Sir Bobby, who was proud of his managerial achievements across Europe and with England, hoped the centre would be his greatest legacy.

He fought cancer five times and inspired many with his determined fundraising despite fading health.

Shearer said: "Sadly nobody goes through their lives unaffected by cancer and I'm proud that there are experts working towards a cure for the disease here in the North East. I was there at the launch of the Sir Bobby Cancer Trials Research Centre and it was a very moving occasion.

"Bobby was, quite rightly, incredibly proud of what his charity had achieved and I'm just as proud now to be asked to help carry on his fight against cancer."

Lady Elsie said: "Speaking for both my family and the charity we're extremely happy and grateful that Alan has agreed to become a patron for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

"We know how much effort he already puts into charitable work and it's no small thing to agree a commitment to another good cause. Giving the experts the tools to fight against cancer is the legacy Bobby wanted to leave behind and thanks to Alan's help we know that legacy will continue to grow. Bobby would have whole-heartedly approved of Alan's patronage. The two of them had great mutual respect and his involvement feels very appropriate."

Copyright © 2009 The Press Association. All rights reserved.