FOOTBALL legend Sir Bobby Robson has revealed a significant boost in his latest battle against cancer - and thanked the people of Suffolk for their “faithful” support.

Jonathan Barnes

FOOTBALL legend Sir Bobby Robson has revealed a significant boost in his latest battle against cancer - and thanked the people of Suffolk for their “faithful” support.

The 75-year-old former Ipswich Town and England manager said his consultants had told him he was responding well to treatment for tumours on his lungs.

He told the East Anglian Daily Times he hoped to be well enough to watch his “beloved” Ipswich Town again soon and was “thrilled” at the support he had received from Suffolk during his cancer fight.

Sir Bobby, who is currently undergoing a course of chemotherapy, said: “I am fighting my illness and I have just recently received some good news about my health and treatment.

“I have responded so well to recent treatment that the cancer has not progressed.”

The football legend, who is honorary president of Ipswich Town, was speaking after donations to his cancer charity topped £1million.

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation - set up to aid cancer trials in his native North East - reached seven figures just seven months after its launch, boosted by many thousands of pounds donated by people from Suffolk. The foundation was started after Sir Bobby revealed he was fighting cancer for the fifth time - and that the tumours on his lungs were inoperable.

He said: “I have been not only surprised but just thrilled at the generosity of the people in Suffolk and Ipswich Town's supporters.

“I have been delighted with their response to my charity appeal and they have simply backed up what I always felt about the people in this area regarding their kindness, thoughtfulness and faithfulness to me.

“In seven months the charity has raised over £1million, which is a staggering effort and has been made up from all people from all walks of life.

“A fair share of that has come from the Suffolk people that I lived amongst for more than 40 years and for whose football results I look for every weekend.”

Sir Bobby, who led Ipswich Town to FA Cup and Uefa Cup glory in a 13-year spell at Portman Road, said he hoped to return to Suffolk soon.

“Travelling is difficult for me these days and I have to always be assisted and chaperoned, however, I hope in the near future I can visit my beloved Ipswich Town,” he said.

Supporters have pledged nearly £5,000 every day since Sir Bobby's charity was launched in March to boost the early detection of cancer. Hundreds of well-wishers have donations through a website, posted cheques or taken on sponsored challenges to boost the cause.

He had initially hoped to raise £500,000, but when that target was quickly reached he spoke of his hope that £1m might be raised by Christmas - a goal achieved with nearly two months to spare.

The foundation will initially focus on the early detection and treatment of cancer and will help support clinical trials of new treatments to tackle the disease.

It has already raised enough money to set up a Cancer Trials Research Centre which will treat patients from across the North East from January.

Despite reaching the £1m target, the foundation is still fundraising and hopes to raise as much money as possible.

To make a donation, view messages of support, or for more information on The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, please visit www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.co.uk or donate by sending a cheque to Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, PO Box 307, Heaton NE7 7QG.