x128809_SBRF_p7_cg_x128809_SBRF_p7_cg 29/11/2013 13:43 Page 3

Finding more effective ways to detect and treat cancer

Five Years of Funding

Timm Cleasby © Lady Elsie The Foundation celebrated its fifth anniversary this year. The charitable fund my husband launched in 2008 continues to go from strength to strength and we’re very proud of everything we’ve been able to achieve. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, and working in partnership with the NHS, Newcastle University and other charities, we’ve been able to make tremendous progress towards finding more effective ways to detect cancer early and treat it. It feels like, together, we’re achieving Bob’s strongly held ambitions to help other people faced with this terrible disease. And there’s still so much more we have planned. Our medical trustees are always looking ahead Sir Bobby with Professor Ruth Plummer just to the next promising new treatments and before the launch of the Foundation equipment. I’m often astounded by the science involved. Sir Bobby launched the Foundation after a request for help from his oncologist Professor Ruth Plummer. This has been a tremendous year for us . I hope this review reflects that. It covers activity before Professor Plummer was treating Sir Bobby as he faced cancer for the fifth - and what he knew would Steve Harper’s wonderful charity game at be the final time. She needed to raise £500,000 to equip a new cancer drug trials centre at the Newcastle United, Mark Allison’s, or I should Northern Centre for Cancer Care (NCCC) and asked him if he knew anyone who might like to say Run Geordie Run’s, challenge to run across donate. Australia and the magnificent team effort that Sir Bobby responde d by launching a charity to get the money she needed. He described it as ‘like was Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Auction. We will being at the helm of a team again.’ be sharing news about all these marvellous The Sir Foundation aims to find more effective ways to detect and treat cancer - fundraising efforts in our next newsletter. and to do so while directly helping patients currently fighting the disease. It also helps fund Once again, we have received wonderful support projects which enhance cancer patient care. from the football community, including a generous In the last five years, the Foundation has been able to: donation from on their inaugural Sir Bobby Robson National Football Day. • Equip the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials • Contribute to the Teenage Cancer Unit Research Centre at the NCCC at the Great North Children’s Hospital Unfortunately, there isn’t room to include everything we would like to within this annual • Fund three-year training posts for a specialist • Jointly fund the PET Tracer Production newsletter. The majority of our funds come, as clinical trials nurse and doctor at the NCCC Unit at Newcastle University ever, from relatively small events and donations • Part-fund five years of the complementary • Make the majority charitable contribution and we are hugely grateful to everyone who has therapy programme at the NCCC to ‘stereotactic’ radiotherapy at the NCCC contributed i n any way. I know Bob would be • Part-fund the creation of a patient Quiet • Jointly fund a region-wide cancer patient very proud and very grateful too. and Information Area at the NCCC ambulance Bob called the Foundation his ‘last and greatest • Fund a microscope for Leukaemia Research • Fund an ImagestreamX (ISx), which allows team’ and that’s just what it remains - a fantastic Cytogenetics Group at the Royal Victoria scientists to see circ ulating cancer cells in team effort with everyone pulling together. Infirmary blood Everyone who has played their part, large or • Enhance a dedicated children’s waiting area small, has made an important contribution at the NCCC and should be very proud of their efforts. Thank you all. A Review of Our Fifth Year x128809_SBRF_p7_cg_x128809_SBRF_p7_cg 29/11/2013 13:43 Page 4

New Cancer Research Equipment

Lady Elsie with Dr David Jamieson and Newcastle Building Society chief executive Jim Willens and the new ISx

New technology funded by the Foundation The information the machine provides will be Newcastle Building will provide an insight into how cancers vital to scientists who are studying whether Society Support spread around the body and how changes in the number CTCs are a predictor of how well a patient may respond to treatment. effectively new treatments are working. Two special charity-linked accounts, which If so, they will be able to identify which The ImageStream Imaging Flow Cytometer, proved to be the Newcastle Building patients will benefit from particular treatments. called an ImagestreamX (ISx), allows scientists Society’s most popular of the year, raised to see cancer cells that may be circulating in Dr David Jamieson, research associate at the hundreds of thousands of pounds for the a patient’s blood and is able to analyse up to Northern Institute for Cancer Research, says: Foundation. As of September 2013, a total 4,000 individual cells a second. “We’re all so pleased to have this new Imaging of £500,000 has been generated for the Flow Cytometer. It will make an enormous charity. The ISx cost £438,000 and is housed in difference to our work and we’re very grateful The Society pays an additional percentage on Newc astle University’s Northern Institute for to the Foundation’s supporters for making it all balances held in the accounts to the Sir Cancer Research. happen. Bobby Robson Foundation and it is ISx works like a microscope taking high “Many of the drug trials at the Sir Bobby cha rity’s first financial partnership of this quality fluorescent images after cancerous cells Robson Centre are being used in patients for nature. in a blood sample are tagged with a the first time and new drugs ar e designed to fluorescent marker. Researchers can then work in a specific way in tumour cells. We identify cancerous cells that may have become want to use CTCs, rather than white blood cells separated from a tumour so they can study or normal skin cells, to work out whether the whether they are responsible for the spread of drugs are working as predicted. cancer around the body. “The ISx has many other important uses too. It will primarily help with the drug trials being As well as the detection of CTCs, it will be undertaken in the Sir Bobby Robson Centre very useful to leukaemia researchers as well and is the first ISx in the UK purchased as in many areas of laboratory preclinical specifically to detect and characterise tumour research. cells as they travel around the body in the “It can collect pictures of tens of thous ands of blood stream. Known as Circulating Tumour cells with up to 10 different proteins stained Cells (CTCs), they are incredibly rare. A typical with fluorescent antibodies. Crucially, this blood sample contains approximately 60 million means very small changes in cells can be white blood cells, 50 billion red blood cells and observed. as few as five CTCs. “For example, a drug may be expected to result There is growing evidence that the presence of in the movement of a protein from the five CTCs is associated with a worse prognosis cytoplasm to the nucleus and the images from The Newcastle's chief executive Jim Willens and for the patient so their detection is important. the ISx will allow us to see these changes.” Lady Elsie in the Sir Bobby Robson Centre x128809_SBRF_p7_cg_x128809_SBRF_p7_cg 29/11/2013 13:43 Page 5

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation New Cancer Patient Ambulance

PET Tracer Production Unit The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has teamed up with another charity, Daft as a Brush, Cancer Patient Care, to jointly fund a Lady Elsie with Professor Herbie Newell in the PET Tracer Production Unit at new patient ambulance. Newcastle University

Lady Elsie was very proud to officially open the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation PET Tracer Production Unit at Newcastle University. Pupils from High Spen Primary School ‘adopted’ the ambulance The unit, and the new equipment it houses, an Advanced Biomarker Technology ultra-compact cyclotron, was jointly funded by the University The ambulance will transport patients to use services at the Northern and the Foundation and is the first of its type in Europe and only the Centre for Cancer Care. second in the world. It is one of a fleet of 13 Daft as a Brush ambulances and has been It will help with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other serious ‘adopte d’ by pupils at High Spen Primary School in County Durham diseases and its purchase was only possible thanks to a contribution of who named it ‘Reach for the Stars.’ £625,000 from the Foundation. Lady Elsie and Brian Burnie, Daft as a Brush Trustee, visited the school to The Biomarker Generator works by creating radioactive tracers which thank the pupils for their support and enthusiasm. It was also a chance are given to patients who subsequently undergo scans to provide for everyone to see the new ambulance, which features artwork by information on cancer and other diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Marianne Murphy, aged 9, a Year 4 pupil at the school. Parkinson’s. The information collected helps doctors to understand the location of th e disease in each patient, how serious it is, and the Brian said: “It was a very pleasant and moving day in the sun. underlying processes and pathways that are causing the illness. Wonderful seeing all the children around the ambulance and the enthusiasm to see their ambulance in the school yard.” The Daft as a Brush ambulances have been running since March 2011. Football Writer Takes the Plunge Driven by a team of dedicated volunteers, they collect cancer patients from their homes and drop them off at the door of the Northern Centre Daily Telegraph football for Cancer Care. correspondent Henry Winter swam across the River Tyne to Lady Elsie says: “We were very pleased to be able to jointly fund this honour a bet and raise funds new ambulance. for the Foundation. “When you’re ill, the last thing you want to worry about is transport to and from the hospital for treatment and Daft as a Brush provide a hugely valuable service for cancer patients across the north east and Henry Winter before his chilly river swim Cumbria. Back in 2010, such was the uncertainty surrounding Newcastle United “We had a hard time picking a name from those thought up by the that Henry promised to swim the river if the club committed long-term to High Spen pupils. There were so many wonderful ideas. In the end, we manager . After Alan signed an eight year contract, Henry chose Reac h for the Stars because it seemed appropriate given immediately agreed to fulfil his wager and take the plunge. everything we’re been able to achieve through Bob’s Foundation.” In glorious sunshine, he swam from Newcastle City Marina to the The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation contributed £7,500 to help fund pontoon at Royal Naval Reserve training unit HMS Calliope on the the ambulance. Gateshead bank. As he emerged from the cold river he was greeted with a Newcastle United towel courtesy of the club. Henry undertook his swim in the shadow of the Tyne Bridge and under Junior Football Club On Song the bemused gaze of hundreds of shoppers at Newcastle’s popular Quayside Market. Winlaton Juniors Football Henry said: “I’m fresh and frozen, it was cold. The first two thirds were Club organised a match a doddle and I thought this is ok, a nice gentle paddle across the Tyne. But day collection at St James’ then suddenly the current hit and it was like the fast lane of the motorway. Park and received a “I could actually feel myself being dragged along and I was fortunate to surprise thank you from have an experienced swimmer alongside me. South Shields’ singer Joe “It’s really been fun. Everyone has rallied round to help and that’s a sign McElderry. of the depth of feeling for Sir Bobby and the great work funded through The club helped the the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.” Foundation again by Henry was ably supported by experienced swimmer Tony Greener from distributing the souvenir North Shields, organiser of the annual Tyne 10 Mile River Swim and, programmes to guests at after his chilly dip, headed off to more familiar surroundings to cover the Sir Bobby Robson – Newcastle United v Manchester United. A Celebration event. Joe McElderry with Winlaton Juniors FC x128809_SBRF_p7_cg_x128809_SBRF_p7_cg 29/11/2013 13:43 Page 6

Tony Phoenix-Morris on on his Tony ‘the Fridge’ Tony ‘the Fridge’ 24-hour ‘fridge run’ at Land’s End Phoenix-Morrison

Tony is one of the Foundation’s most recognisable fundraisers and he has undertaken a number of punishing running challenges – all while carrying a fridge. These have included running the route of the Great North Run with his fridge for 30 consecutive days and running around Newcastle’s Quayside for 24 hours. He even ran the length of the country with an injury, which was Bike for Bobby “Cancer can beat you to your later diagnosed as a fractured knees. My efforts are a tribute to Robbie Elliott played for femur. all those people who have to Sir Bobby at Newcastle Tony says: “I’m lucky because I fight cancer every day. And by United and, like so many know I can take my fridge off. But fundraising for the Sir Bobby people, has been affected if you have cancer you can’t do Robson Foundation, I feel like I’m by cancer. that. It’s a burden you’re forced to doing something practical and He wanted to do something carry and keep going. positive to help.” special to help raise money through his own Robbie Elliott Foundation, which he Bowled Over by Cricketing Support would then share with the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Breakthrough Breast Lady Elsie welcoming Robbie Elliott and Cancer. Phil Gray back at the end of their ride The Bike For Bobby fundraising challenge he created was more intense than he could possibly have imagined. Along with his cycling partner, Phil Gray, Robbie cycled 3,500 miles between all the clubs managed by Sir Bobby – all the way from to Newcastle. The route was longer than the Tour de France and the pair faced mountains, pot holes, snow, gale force winds, road closures, injuries and illness. Robbie said: “We knew Bike For Bobby would be hard but I don’t think we knew quite how hard. But even when we were struggling Andrew Flintoff and Stephen Harmison we knew why we were doing it. And knowing we were raising The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation was named as Durham County money to fight cancer was a great incentive to keep going.” Cricket Club’s Stephen Harmison’s Benefit charity for 2013. Robbie’s efforts were recognised by the North East Football Writers’ Association who named him Personality of the Year, in association Former world number one bowler, Harmison, who has two Ashes wins with the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. And Lady Elsie and Jack and two County Championship titles to his name, was named as 2013 Charlton were am ong guests at a special Bike For Bobby Dinner to beneficiary by his county. celebrate the success of the ride. Events including golf days, cricket matches and dinners are being held Lady Elsie said: “I’m simply amazed that Robbie and Phil completed over 12 months to raise funds, with a percentage of the overa ll total this incredible ride, and on schedule, despite all the many challenges donated to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. they came up against. That shows a very special level of dedication Stephen’s friend and former England team mate, Andrew Flintoff, said: and courage. “He really deserves this year. Benefits are awarded to players who show “What they have achieved is something they should take great personal loyalty and Steve’s probably the most loyal person I’ve ever met. pride in and I know my husband wou ld also be very proud of them.” “He’s shown great commitment to Durham Cricket Club and this benefit Bike For Bobby was rounded off with a group Cycle Sportive ride year is their way of saying thank you. It’s a big year for Stephen and he open to cyclists of all abilities and which has become an annual should be proud he’s got one.” charity event.

Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Auction There will be more information about Sir Bobby's Breakthrough Auction in our next newsletter. Gina Long and the team of volunteers behind the online auction and ball put in a huge amount of effort to ensure its success and cricketer Graeme Swann took time out during the 2013 Ashes to give it his backing. Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Auction raised funds for the Foundation, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Suffolk Hospital’s cancer services. Graeme Swann, Lady Elsie and Paul Robson The Auction Committee x128809_SBRF_p7_cg_x128809_SBRF_p7_cg 29/11/2013 13:42 Page 1

Sir Bobby Robson – A Celebration

Sir Bobby Robson – A Celebration is also available on DVD Photograph courtesy of Timm Cleasby ©

TheTh 18th February 2013 would have been SSiri Bobby’s 80th birthday and to mark the ooccasionc a group of experienced music iindustryn professionals volunteered their ttimei to organise a night in tribute to him. SSiri Bobby Robson – A Celebration, supported bbyy Virgin Money, was a very special evening ooff music, memories and laughter as family, Event organisers (left to right) Sue Event Producer, Ray Laidlaw ffriends,r musicians, comedians, football greats Collier, Alec Collerton, , and Director Geoff Wonfor aandn admirers gathered on the banks of the Adam Collerton and Oliver Fowler with Alan Shearer TTyney to remember Sir Bobby. captain. Then Sunderland AFC manager Martin O’Neill, Durham CCC’s TThehe ccharityharity nnightight aatt TThehe SSage Gateshead was originally planned with Stephen Harmison, football legends Bob Moncur and Jack Charlton SSiri BBobby’sbb ’ involvementi l ini 2009 and he filmed what became his last and ‘Hebburn’ star Chris Ramsey were all in the audience. interviews to be shown at the event. It was an extremely memorable evening and raised £80,000 for the Hosted by Jim Rosenthal and former Lindisfarne singer Billy Mitchell, Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Alan Shearer Foundation. the night featured an amazing line-up of performers and football greats including Mark Knopfler, England legend Stuart Pearc e, Joe Sir Bobby’s son, Mark Robson, said: “It was an absolutely incredible night of music, sport and comedy. It was a spectacular evening. McElderry, Northern Sinfonia - Orchestra of The Sage Gateshead, conducted by Paul Laidlaw, The Unthanks, Simon Day, Paul Whitehouse, “In fact it was one of the best evenings I’ve ever had. Dad would Russell Watson, Alistair McGowan, Peter Brewis of Field Music, The have been gobsmacked. Cornshed Sisters, Paul Smith of Maximo Park, Ruby Turner, Brendan “We’re just so grateful to everyone who helped make the night so Healy, Tim Healy, Faryl Smith, Scarlet Street, Ben Ottewell of Gomez, special and particularly to the team of volunteers and the staff at the cast of Knew My Grandfather, Tottenham Hotspur The Sage Gateshead who put so much effort into it.” manager Andre Villas-Boas and Newcastle United’s Alan Pardew, Shola A DVD of the night, Another (K)Night to Remember, is on sale and Ameobi and former NUFC goalkeeper Steve Harper. raising further funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. It features Guests included Sir Bobby Robson Foundation Patrons Steve Gibson, Alan Shearer and the event’s many highlights and is available from Middlesbrough FC chairman and , Sir Bobby’s Ipswich www.mawson-wareham.com. Timm© Cleasby Timm© Cleasby Timm© Cleasby Timm© Cleasby Andre Villas-Boas and Jim Rosenthal Mark Knopfler and Billy Mitchell Mick Mills, Patron, and Lady Elsie Faryl Smith x128809_SBRF_p7_cg_x128809_SBRF_p7_cg 29/11/2013 13:43 Page 2

Time for Tea Cruising Fundraising

Guests on Fred. Olsen Cruise A new tea, Lines’ ‘Sir Bobby Robson Cruise’ the creation from Harwich to Amsterdam of Corbridge and Newcastle, were taken on couple Bill and a trip down memory lane with Helen Logan is reminiscences of the much- helping to raise loved Ipswich Town, Newcastle and England football manager. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Tom O’Hansen money for the and Anthony Borradaille with former Foundation. Former Ipswich players including Ipswich Town player, and Northern Jack Charlton and Lady Elsie drinking Northumberland Tea Allan Hunter, , John Ireland manager, Bryan Hamilton Northumberland Tea is being promoted by football legend Jack Charlton Wark and Bryan Hamilton Cruise Lines, said: “We were alongside the light-hearted slogan “The best cup since 1966” referring together with guest of honour, delighted that this proved to be to Jack’s, and English football’s, finest hour – winning the Worl d Cup Lady Elsie, helped to raise £8,853 such a successful cruise and are under Sir Alf Ramsey. through raffles and aucti ons that extremely grateful to Lady Elsie Lady Elsie met up with Bill and Helen to thank them and shared a pot of took place during the cruise. Robson and the ex-Ipswich Town Northumberland Tea on Newcastle’s Quayside with Jack. Jack says: “It’s Nathan Philpot, sales and players for their participation and very nice and all the family are using it.” marketing Director for Fred. Olsen fundraising efforts.” In the Swing with Golfing Support 3 Days for Bobby Support from golfers this year has been tremendous once again and has included a ‘ Day’ competition between Sunderland For the last four years, a group and Newcastle United fans, with respective team captains Kevin of family and friends has Ball and John Beresford. undertaken various three day cycling challenges to raise Both the Ladies’ and Men’s Captains of Bishop Auckland Gol f Club money for the Foundation. named the Foundation as their Charity of the Year. Guests over the Describing themselves as ‘not year included Lady Elsie, former athlete Alison Curbishley, Durham CCC exactly fit’ they find each coach Geoff Cook and, on one memorable day, 26 former Sunderland challenge very tough. AFC, Newcastle United, Middlesbrough FC, Carlisle United and The whole ‘Three Days for Bobby’ team Darlington FC players. Previously, the ‘3 Days for Bobby’ team has ridden the Coast to Coast, Once again, Sir Bobby’s family also organised their own golf day at Northumberland Coast and Castle’s beautiful Rockliffe Hall Hotel near Darlington, which united north east route and cycled from Newcastle football behind a common cause. to Castle Douglas in Dumfries and It was the third annual Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Day and charity Galloway. Patron and Middlesbrough FC chairman Steve Gibson was among the This year, 25 of them set off from high-profile guests while current and former players and staff from the Angel of the North and successfully Middlesbrough FC, Sunderland AFC and Newcastle United were among rode to Kendal via the North York the golfers. Moors. Off they go! Land’s End to John O’Groats Cycle

Friends Scott Norris from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham and Luke Stephenson from Pegswood, Northumberland, cycled the length of the country raising funds for the Foundation. The pair, who cycled the 1,017miles Lady Elsie and Prof Ruth Plummer unsupported, met with Lady Elsie in North east football unites - Shola with Bishop Auckland Golf Club Newcastle before they began and she Ameobi, Steve Gibson, Lady Elsie, Captains Barbara Veal and George Luke Stephenson and Scott and Micky Horswill Courtney Norris at John O’Groats thanked them for their great efforts. Great North Runners

For the second time, the Foundation had an area within the Great North Run’s Charity Village so that tired runners had somewhere at the finish to catch their breath. It also provided an opportunity for Lady Elsie, Sir Bobby’s family and volunteers to thank runners for their efforts and to offer them refreshments. Runners tackling the famous 13 mile course included Sir Bobby’s son Mark, Mark ‘Run Geordie Run’ Allison, Tony 'the Fridge’ Phoe nix-Morrison and Professor Ruth Plummer’s two sons David and Michael. David and Michael with Professor Ruth Plummer

For more information, or to donate online, please visit www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk. Or send a cheque payable to The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation to Room 203, Cheviot Court, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN. A letter of association is required to fund-raise for the Foundation to ensure those involved receive support and advice on current charity legislation. Please contact Pauline Buglass by calling 0191 213 7235 or email [email protected] - thank you. Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Charity (Reg. 1057213)