NEARLY a year ago a star-studded fundraising event brought together family, friends, musicians, comedians, football greats and admirers to remember Sir Bobby Robson on the night he would have turned 80.

Now the people who made Sir Bobby Robson - A Celebration such a huge success have come back together, at Lady Elsie’s invitation, to see the life-saving technology their efforts have helped fund for cancer patients.

A total of £80,000 was raised for two charities, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Alan Shearer Foundation, through last February’s event at The Sage in Gateshead, which was supported by Virgin Money.

Along with thousands of other fundraising events, activities and donations, the money has enabled the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation to help fund a combination of cutting edge radiotherapy technology, which was previously only available in London and is now at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

The stereotactic radiotherapy system uses detailed scans and computerised 4D treatment planning to treat cancer and deliver radiation with tremendous accuracy.

Purchase of the new technology has been made possible thanks to a special collaboration between the Newcastle Hospitals Trust and local hospital charities and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation made its largest contribution to date - £850,000 – to help fund it.

Patients with lung cancer are already receiving stereotactic radiotherapy treatment.

In addition, prostate cancer patients, including Clive Sinton from Blyth, are now receiving radiotherapy treatment in the unit.

Dr Ian Pedley, clinical director for NCCC, said: “Having this equipment will enable cancer patients from the region to be treated more quickly and effectively than ever before. It’s amazing what the NHS and local hospital charities have achieved together.”

It is the first time Lady Elsie has seen the completed unit, which opened last year,

Lady Elsie said: “I know Bob would be fascinated by the technology in this unit and I’m so proud that our charity has helped make it happen.”