FORMER Ipswich Town boss Sir Bobby Robson has spoken of his ongoing battle against cancer - while also revealing his bid to raise £500,000 for his cancer charity has already reached its target.

Craig Robinson

FORMER Ipswich Town boss Sir Bobby Robson has spoken of his ongoing battle against cancer - while also revealing his bid to raise £500,000 for his cancer charity has already reached its target.

The 75-year-old has now pledged to push on for £1million to fund a state-of-the-art cancer research centre to help doctors diagnose and find new treatments for the disease.

Sir Bobby, who last week received the freedom of Ipswich as part of celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of Town winning the FA Cup, said he was delighted with the support he has received.

The milestone was met on Friday night at a charity dinner attended by Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan and England legends Bryan Robson, Alan Shearer and Sir Bobby Charlton.

Sir Bobby, honorary president of Ipswich Town, told a national newspaper: “I've been lucky enough to have fought and won many games.

“But this is a bigger fight and more satisfying. To think I've played a small part of something that could save lives is incredible. Now we've got £500,000, let's go for £1million.”

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation was launched in March with the aim of raising £500,000 to equip the new Early Cancer Trials Unit at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care being built at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Sir Bobby is fighting cancer for a fifth time and has dedicated his life to the charity. He said he was told 15 months ago that his latest cancer in the lungs was terminal.

“I was told then I wouldn't have years to live but 15 months on and I am still fighting it,” he said.

“I know I haven't got years but I haven't got weeks either. I've got months - but that might be 12 months, 24 months or 36 months. So there is plenty to live for.”

Sir Bobby, who was knighted in 2001, won 20 England caps playing in the 1958 and 1962 World Cups before taking the national team to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup during an eight-year spell in charge.

He made his name as a manager at Ipswich, leading the club to FA Cup and UEFA Cup glory and went on to manage sides including Barcelona, Porto, PSV Eindhoven and Newcastle.

To donate to The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation visit www.justgiving.com/TheSirBobbyRobsonFoundation or send a cheque to The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, PO Box 307, Heaton, Newcastle, NE7 7QG.