Articles 
A Newcastle United supporter is hoping to do his bit for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation by trekking 33 miles just to see a game!
David Neale is planning to walk from his home in County Durham to St James’ Park for the Toon Army’s final home game of the season in April, when Newcastle welcome Roy Keane’s Ipswich Town, who Sir Bobby also managed during his career. The 22-year-old United season ticket holder has wanted to organise a fundraiser for the foundation ever since Robson passed away in July last year. David has set a target of raising at least £1,000 with the brave challenge, which will see him cycle home, in Newton Aycliffe, after the Ipswich game on April 24.
“I just want to raise as much money for the foundation as I possibly can,” he said. "Like all Newcastle and football supporters alike, I was deeply saddened by Sir Bobby’s death, but inspired by his bravery and determination to raise money for cancer research. I know people who have been effected by cancer so ever since Sir Bobby’s passing I’d planned to do something, just to do my bit. I thought the Ipswich game was the ideal fixture to organise it due to Sir Bobby’s fantastic managerial record with them as well, so that makes it all the more poignant. The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation raises a huge amount of money to help cancer patients in the North-East so the more I can contribute to that the better.”
David, a service advisor for Bristol Street Motors in Darlington, has already been sponsored more than £200 for his fundraising effort, and has set up an official Just Giving account through the foundation.
He added: “The best thing about donating online is that supporters can see their money goes direct to the charity. I’m also planning bucket collections and other promotions to hopefully raise as much as I can, and I’d be delighted to hit my target of £1,000, so all donations are gratefully received and very much appreciated by the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.”
Pauline Buglass, the foundation’s head of fundraising, added: “The support we receive from football fans like David is truly amazing. I hope it turns out to be a good game and worth walking 33 miles for! David’s fund-raising efforts will help cancer patients from across our region and will help fund clinical trials of new drugs which are not yet licensed by the NHS. Sir Bobby’s charity helps local people fighting cancer as he bravely did and I’m sure he would be very proud to see it continuing to grow.”
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/david-neale, or anyone who’d like to contact David can email him on dmneale9@aol.com
Thanks to incredible ongoing support, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has raised over £2.2 million since its launch in March 2008.
In addition to equipping the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, the charity has funded a specialist research nurse and doctor and enhanced a children’s waiting area at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care. It also recently announced a £30,000 contribution to the Teenage Cancer Unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation operates within the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust and a wider cancer research network to provide services not currently funded by the NHS for the benefit of patients from across the North-East.
