FOOTBALL legend Sir Bobby Robson has told of his hope that a fundraising campaign in his name will top £1million by Christmas.

Jonathan Barnes

FOOTBALL legend Sir Bobby Robson has told of his hope that a fundraising campaign in his name will top £1million by Christmas.

The former Ipswich Town and England manager originally set out to raise £500,000 for cancer research through his new charity foundation.

But the 75-year-old, who last week admitted he will lose his latest battle with cancer “sooner rather than later”, told of his delight after donations to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation reached almost £700,000.

He said: “Our total keeps going up and up. I would like to sincerely thank everyone for their amazing generosity.

“Please keep donating and fundraising - if we could raise £1million before Christmas that would be absolutely amazing”.

Sir Bobby, who is fighting cancer for the fifth time and has been told by doctors the tumours on his lungs are inoperable, said the reading the messages of support on his fundraising website were “a real pleasure and a touching experience”.

The foundation was launched in March with the aim of raising £500,000 for cancer research trials in the North East.

Sir Bobby decided to launch the charity after being approached by Professor Ruth Plummer, who asked him about contacts for possible fundraising for the trials.

The fundraising target was reached within months and a cheque was handed over to Prof Plummer for what will be known as The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

The state-of-the-art facilities, due to open in January, will include a 12-bed unit with treatment rooms, a laboratory and consulting facilities.

The legendary football boss has decided to continue with the fundraising and said the foundation was now working with regional cancer projects to identify other priority needs.

Last week, Sir Bobby, who led Ipswich Town to FA Cup and Uefa Cup glory in a successful 13-year spell in Suffolk, said he was determined to make the most of the time he had left, and had been fortunate to survive so long, paying tribute to the dedication of his doctors.

Anyone wishing to donate can visit www.justgiving.com/thesirbobbyrobsonfoundation or send a cheque to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation PO Box 307, Heaton NE7 7QG.