A CANCER consultant has been appointed to lead research in the fight against the disease, with funding from Sir Bobby Robson’s charity.

Neil Richmond has been appointed Consultant Clinical Scientist at the Newcastle-based Northern Centre for Cancer Care, which treats patients from across the North East and Cumbria.

The 47-year-old, from Hartlepool, has taken up the post which is funded by the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation,

The new role means the centre can lead clinical trials in radiotherapy research, helping find better treatments for cancer patients.

Mr Richmond works closely with the centre’s Stereotactic Radiotherapy Unit, which opened in 2014 with help from £850,000 funding from Sir Bobby’s charity, and uses detailed scans and computerised treatment planning to deliver radiation with tremendous accuracy.

He said: “Stereotactic radiotherapy is the major development in radiotherapy at present. It will define future treatments, so what we’re doing now will leave a legacy for the next generation.

“Working with this technology and the first class medical team here is what first attracted me to this role.

“It gives me great personal and professional satisfaction seeing the difference stereotactic radiotherapy is making in patient care.”

Mr Richmond is part of the team using stereotactic ablative body therapy for tumours within the body and stereotactic radiosurgery for treating tumours within the brain.

Lady Elsie Robson, widow of the former Newcastle and England manager, said: “We have a marvellous board of trustees and it’s their medical knowledge that steers us.

“Every penny spent, every decision taken, is discussed at great length to ensure it’s the best use of the money raised for us and funding this post was no different.

“We’re so pleased to welcome Mr Richmond on board. He has a wealth of expertise and we’re lucky to have him. We wish him very well in his new role.”

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is helping continue the work which began when Sir Bobby launched his charity in 2008.

Since then, it has raised more than £9m to fund projects which directly benefit patients from across the region and which contribute significantly to international research into cancer.

To make a donation, or for more information please visit www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk.