SIR Bobby Robson inspired millions when he was alive – and it is remarkable how he has continued to do after his death.

On the sixth anniversary of the launch of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, it is fitting that the £7m milestone has been broken.

Organisers of the cancer foundation would have had good reason to expect the early momentum to slow down, but it is proving to be a charity capable of standing the test of time.

Sir Bobby was a humble, down-toearth man who never quite understood why he attracted so much love and respect.

When he put his name to the foundation as his own health failed, he would not have anticipated it would make such a huge difference in the detection and treatment of the disease that affects us all in some way.

And he would have been the first to acknowledge that success is down to teamwork.

The managers of the foundation deserve huge credit for the way it has been run, as do the army of fundraisers who have played their part in reaching such a magnificent total.

It is easy to imagine Sir Bobby shaking his head in disbelief at the efforts of people like Tony “The Fridge”

Phoenix-Morrison, who was inspired to run the length of the country carrying a 42kg fridge.

Of course, the battle against cancer is a long way from being won, so the work of the Sir Bobby Foundation is far from complete.

The fundraising in memory of a great man must therefore continue – and we are sure it will.