FOOTBALL legend Alan Shearer will today be unveiled as the man to fill the charitable boots of the late Sir Bobby Robson.

The former Newcastle number nine is to become the new patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

He will be formally welcomed to his new role by Sir Bobby's widow Lady Elsie and sons Paul, Andrew and Mark, who made the request for help following the 76-year-old former Newcastle and England manager's death in July.

Shearer, 39, said: "It was a huge honour for me to be asked by Sir Bobby's family to join his charity as patron and I was very happy to accept.

"Bobby's death left a gaping hole in football and within the North-East as a region.

"He's a man I admired greatly and I know I'll continue to miss him in the coming years."

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation's initial target of £500,000 was set to equip a cancer trials research centre at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

The figure was reached just seven weeks after the charity launch, and the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre opened in February this year to treat patients from across the North-East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.

Shearer added: "I was there at the launch of the Sir Bobby Cancer Trials Research Centre and it was a very moving occasion.

"Bobby was, quite rightly, incredibly proud of what his charity had achieved and I'm just as proud now to be asked to help carry on his fight against cancer."

The charity's current total now stands at more than £1.8m, which will be spent providing additional resources to fight cancer within the National Health Service.

Lady Elsie said: "Speaking for both my family and the charity we're extremely happy and grateful that Alan has agreed to become a patron for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

"We know how much effort he already puts into charitable work and it's no small thing to agree a commitment to another good cause.

"Bobby would have whole-heartedly approved of Alan's patronage. The two of them had great mutual respect and his involvement feels very appropriate."

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