A HOST of incredible prizes donated in the name of Sir Bobby Robson has raised £200,000 for the former England and Newcastle manager’s charity.
Online bids at sirbobbys breakthroughauction.com were coming in right up until last night’s deadline, with all money going to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
A chance to attend the FC Barcelona experience and meet coach Josep Pep Guardiola and attacking star Lionel Messi attracted a lot of attention last night – with a final bid of £12,100.
Another prize was the chance to own Jose Mourinho’s FIFA Ballon D’Or’ World Coach of the Year award for 2010, which had been second in the pecking order, but finally realised a bid of £26,000.
Other prizes included an invitation to watch England manager Fabio Capello hold a training session, a Match of the Day tour with Gary Lineker, two match tickets for the 2012 Champions League final, tea for two at the House of Commons and a luxury island holiday in the Bahamas.
The North-East’s big three clubs each also offered VIP match day boxes and tickets.
A bid of £1,700 had been made for Newcastle United’s match against Manchester United and bids of £1,200 had been made for Sunderland tickets and £500 for Middlesbrough.
Sir Bobby launched his charity in March 2008 to help find more effective treatments for cancer. To date it has raised more than £3.5m.
The auction, and a ball in Suffolk on Thursday, which in itself raised more than £50,000, were organised by volunteer fundraiser Gina Long.
Sir Bobby’s widow, Lady Elsie, said: “Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Auction has taken a tremendous amount of effort.
“My family and I are extremely grateful to Gina Long for her vision, hard work and enthusiasm in creating this ambitious charity venture.
“We are also very appreciative of all the many people who have pitched in and helped by volunteering their time, expertise and incredible auction prizes.
“Sadly, cancer affects us all in one way or another, but with us all pulling together, one day we will beat it.”
Mrs Long said: “The support from auction prize donors, sponsors, individuals, companies and the wonderful bidders have helped make this a huge success, way beyond our wildest dreams.
"It is amazing.
“I did this in memory of Sir Bobby and my beautiful friend, Sally Balch, who lost her battle with breast cancer.
"This displays the honour that everyone wants to show Sir Bobby and will help fight this wretched disease."
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