SIR Bobby launched his foundation in 2008, after a request for help, to raise funds to equip what became the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care in Newcastle.

The former Newcastle United and England manager was fighting cancer for a fifth time, so launched the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation to raise money to tackle the disease. The first donation of £221 was received after a family from Cornsay Colliery, near Durham City, requested donations to the foundation rather than flowers at a relative’s funeral.

Only days later £20,000 was donated by Durham-based construction company Esh Group. In the first week alone, the foundation received donations of more than £150,000.

The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care offers patients from across the North-East and Cumbria access to early drug trials (currently 38 clinical trials are open to recruitment) and potential new treatments, and works with the Imaging Research Centre to improve diagnosis and study the effects of new drugs.

Often these are “first in human” trials and the centre’s dedicated staff also coordinate trials of drugs at later stages of development, working with the National Cancer Networks to ensure patients get offered the best options for treatment.

The number of cases of cancer in the North-East and Cumbria is higher than the national average and the centre sees about 600 new patients every year.

Working within the NHS, and in collaboration with Newcastle University and other cancer charities, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation’s main aim is to help fund world-class cancer treatments that directly benefit patients. It also helps fund projects that enhance cancer patient care.

Thanks to the support, the foundation has made possible major new approaches to detecting and treating cancer and been able to:

  • Fund the PROSPECT-NE genome sequencing project;
  • Fund four clinical research and nursing posts at The Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre at Newcastle University;
  • Equip an ophthalmology clinical trial evaluation Suite at the Royal Victoria Infirmary;
  • Fund a project co-ordinator working within the Great North Children’s Hospital’s paediatric wards;
  • Equip the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre and fund a clinical trials doctor and nurse in it;
  • Make the majority charitable contribution to ‘stereotactic’ radiotherapy at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care;
  • Fund a consultant clinical scientist to help optimise radiotherapy treatment for patients at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care;
  • Jointly fund the PET Tracer Production Unit at Newcastle University;
  • Fund the ImageStream Imaging Flow Cytometer, which allows scientists to see cancer cells that may be circulating in a patient’s blood;
  • Part-fund eight years of the complementary therapy programme at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care;
  • Part-fund creation of a patient quiet and information area at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care;
  • Fund a microscope for Leukaemia Research Cytogenetics Group at the RVI;
  • Enhance a dedicated children’s waiting area at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care;
  • Contribute to the Teenage Cancer Unit at the Great North Children’s Hospital;
  • Fund a region-wide cancer patient ambulance;
  • Fund a Cancer Support Specialist at Maggie’s Newcastle.

Sir Bobby said he would give up a year of his life to the charity, however, he became so passionate about it that, despite being very ill, he spent his last 18 months doing all he could to raise funds.

He described it as “like being at the helm of a team again” – what he proudly called his “last and greatest team”.