TRIBUTES have been paid to philanthropist Sir Robert Ogden whose generosity helped transform cancer care for countless patients across the region.
Sir Robert was a prominent North Yorkshire businessman, having founded The Ogden Group with his brothers, which manufactured equipment used in engineering, quarrying and mining.
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He was also a respected racehorse owner; he jointly owned Cheltenham Gold Cup winner See More Business and in his later career, Gold Cup runner-up Exotic Dancer and Marlborough.
Sir Robert, who lived at Sicklinghall Stud in Wetherby, was also well-known in the region for his philanthropy.
He was knighted in 2001 for his charity efforts, which include the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton and the Robert Ogden School at Thurnscoe.
His generosity also included awarding university scholarships for youngsters from poor backgrounds.
Following Sir Robert's passing at the age of 86, a spokeswoman for Macmillan Cancer Support praised the contribution the businessman made to cancer services in the North East and North Yorkshire.
She said: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of our great supporter Sir Robert Ogden CBE Hon LLD.
"Sir Robert’s exceptional commitment and support for cancer patients in Yorkshire and South Tees is unsurpassed and he remains our largest individual donor.
"Sir Robert has supported Macmillan for more than 50 years, from his early involvement in Macmillan’s York Raceday (which has since raised £9million), to the funding and development of three state-of-the-art cancer centres, Sir Robert has played a leading role in transforming cancer care in Yorkshire."
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Opening in 2000, the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre in Leeds was the first of three cancer centres Sir Robert supported and was the first of its kind in Yorkshire, pioneering a new approach that gave people with cancer personalised support in an exceptional care environment.
His vision, commitment and generous gift of £850,000 was integral to bringing the centre to fruition.
From this successful blueprint for quality cancer care, Sir Robert worked with Macmillan to develop two further £10m centres of excellence in Harrogate in 2014, and Northallerton in 2018.
These state-of-the-art centres were made possible thanks to incredible contributions from Sir Robert.
At both Harrogate and Northallerton, in addition to financial support, Sir Robert and Lady Ogden also played a significant role in the design of the centre’s internal environment, always thinking of patients’ needs, and offering their time and design expertise.
Lynda Thomas, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “Our sincere condolences from everyone at Macmillan go to Sir Robert’s wife and family.
"His generosity, dedication and expertise helped us to transform the quality of cancer care across Yorkshire.
"He has created a lasting legacy, not only in the cancer centres that bear his name, but also in the life-changing improved care and support for people with cancer across the county for years to come."
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