MORE than £50,000 raised with an online auction has been presented to the widow of Sir Bobby Robson for his cancer charity.

Ex-England cricketer and Newcastle United fan Graeme Swann handed over a cheque for £53,790 to Lady Elsie Robson, presented at St James’ Park.

The money comes from Sir Bobby’s Online Auction, which is organised every year by Gina Long and raises money for several charities, including the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The Ashes winner said: “It’s a great pleasure to be involved with the Sir Bobby Auction and to represent its committee here today.

“Cancer is something that affects us all and it’s vital we continue to find better ways to detect and treat it”.

Sir Bobby spent his last 18 months doing all he could to raise money for charity, and now the charity helps fund world-class cancer treatments that directly benefit patients and helps fun projects that enhance cancer patient care.

In total, the previous four Sir Bobby Auctions, have raised £320,000 for the foundation.

Lady Elsie said: “Each year, we’re amazed all over again by the prizes donated to this auction and by the support it receives and we’re extremely proud of all the fantastic work which is funded as a result of it.”

Gina Long, who launched the auction in memory of and was also friends with, Sir Bobby, was recently awarded an MBE after having raised £2,500,000 for charity in over 30 years as a volunteer.

She said: “Sir Bobby’s name, his stature in football, and more importantly the love and respect people still have for him, is reflected in the generosity people are kind enough to show us.”