THE Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has smashed the £5m mark just five years after it was set up to raise a modest £500,000.

Supporters will celebrate the charity's fifth anniversary today (MONDAY 25) knowing they have raised more than ten times the initial target.

Local hero Sir Bobby launched the foundation on March 25, 2008 to fund ways to better detect and treat the disease.

The former Newcastle United and England manager died just over a year after setting up the foundation, aged 76, from his fifth and final battle with cancer.

But he wanted to leave a legacy so medics who battled to save him could continue their ground-breaking work in the region.

The total raised by the foundation now stands at £5.2m.

His oncologist Professor Ruth Plummer said: “The specialist cancer equipment and staff we’ve been able to fund as a result of the charity is making a tremendous difference to patients.

“The scientists, nurses, doctors, in fact everyone who is involved in treating and caring for patients are just so appreciative of the help we get thanks to the generosity of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation’s supporters.

“Sir Bobby was a great inspiration to everyone at the Sir Bobby Centre and his charity is a legacy worthy of his name. We’re grateful to him every day.”