YESTERDAY was designated by the Football Association as Sir Bobby Robson Day – and it was a fitting tribute to one of County Durham’s best loved sons.

On the day marking the fifth anniversary of his death, The Northern Echo did its best to do the great man proud. The paper featured a double-page spread of tributes and memories and – most importantly – a promotion of his cancer charity.

On our website, a gallery of pictures captures the warmth of an ordinary North-East lad who became one of football’s most engaging characters.

It is further evidence that Sir Bobby is not going to be forgotten. He had an uncanny knack of getting the best out of people while he was alive, and that continues to be the case five years after his death.

Sir Bobby chose to focus his remaining energies on establishing a cancer foundation during the final months of his life, rather than dwell on the illness that he knew was killing him.

Although he was a man who always aimed high, even he would have been shocked that his foundation now stands at £7.3m.

It means scientists are being able to use the best possible equipment to carry out research and treatment.

It means patients are receiving the best possible support.

Ultimately, it means that lives are being saved and loved ones are being spared from grief.

Time flies and, before we know it, we will be marking the 10th anniversary of Sir Bobby’s passing.

It will give us all another milestone to reflect upon; another opportunity to celebrate the life of a special man; and another chance to raise the bar of the wonderful charity which bears his name.

Let’s go on doing Sir Bobby proud.