AN online auction held in memory of football legend Sir Bobby Robson raised almost £170,000 for charity.

The annual Sir Bobby’s Online Auction ended last night (Sunday, November 29) raising £169,500 for charities connected with the former Newcastle United and England manager.

More than 160 lots were donated to help the charities benefitting from the auction, which includes the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, the cancer charity Sir Bobby launched in 2008, and In The Game – the League Managers Association Charity.

Auction founder Gina Long said: "Sir Bobby was a colossal global figure in football and the love and respect people still have for him has been reflected in the unbelievable money-can't-buy prizes that we have been fortunate to receive.

"Everyone has been so generous in donating amazing prizes from the world of sport, celebrity and lifestyle.

"Whether bidding or helping to spread the word, I cannot thank everyone enough for their support in making this auction a fitting tribute to this amazing man."

Bidders competed to secure a wide range of prizes, which included donations from Sir Bobby’s former clubs Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven, Newcastle United and Ipswich Town.

Lady Elsie Robson, Sir Bobby’s widow, said; “We’re absolutely thrilled that the auction has raised so much. Really, we can’t thank Gina and her team enough for all their hard work.

“We’ve been extremely lucky to have received the support we have. The football family in particular has been wonderfully helpful and we’re very grateful to everyone who has played a part in the special auction’s success.”

The highest price paid for any of the items was the £5,200 paid for a Tottenham Hotspur training day featuring lunch with Ledley King and the same price for a VIP trip to next year's World Snooker Championship Final as guests of Barry Hearn.