Fundraiser Gina Long takes a look at how the Sir Bobby Robson online auction will make a difference in Suffolk and beyond.

It’s that time of year when my main focus is the Sir Bobby Robson Online Auction first established in 2011.

Sir Bobby Robson was a great family friend for over 35 years and from the moment Bobby set up his foundation I wanted to support Lady Elsie and the great work of the charity Bobby founded, along with local charities.

Little did I know back then how this auction would be embraced globally.

I am under no illusion as to why I get the support for it. It is a reflection of the colossal love and respect people around the world continue to have for dear Bobby and his cancer charity.

It also highlights the great desire from so many of us to share his dream to beat this wretched disease, cancer.

This year’s auction, which launched today and runs until Sunday 29 November, offers incredible money-can’t-buy prizes from the world of sport, celebrity and lifestyle, ensuring there is a perfect Christmas present for all the family.

The auction will again be raising money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation as well as my newly-launched GeeWizz foundation, West Suffolk Hospital Charity and In The Game – the official charity of the League Managers’ Association.

I am always touched by the generosity of individuals and companies in Suffolk and throughout the world.

This year, we are putting every effort into trying to reach a £1 million total to date, supporting some amazing causes, both nationally and in Suffolk.

In this day and age where so many charities are under the spotlight, the online auction is a wonderful, transparent way of raising a lot of money.

Anyone watching the auction throughout the two weeks will see how transparent the fundraising is from the live bidding, that literally takes place in front of all our eyes. We will all know the minute the online auction finishes exactly how much has been raised.

This year’s auction has never been more important with some of the money raised purchasing dear George Woodward, from Ipswich, aged just three years, a much-needed singing and dancing electric wheelchair, which will thankfully help change George’s day-to-day life.

Thank you to everyone who has donated items and a big thank you to everyone who works behind-the-scenes to make the auction such a success – from David Bushnell and the Enable IT team to Eddie Crichton at Lacy Scott & Knight, to George Wade and the team from The Saleroom, who provide so much free of charge in supporting this very special fundraiser.

Sincere thanks also to Joel Furniss and Ashton KCJ for helping the GeeWizz Charity, which officially launches this weekend. Perfect timing thanks to the Charitable Commission and Joel’s hard-work.

We will be launching with over 140 prizes and it would be wonderful to have your support, by either bidding or just by simply helping spread the word that Sir Bobby’s Auction is between 14th to 29th November.

You can find out about all the auction prizes and how to bid via www.sirbobbysauction.com or email me at gina@sirbobbysauction.com if you would like to donate a prize.

You can also follow us @sirbobbyauction.