Sir Bobby's charity passes £4m raised

Sir Bobby Robson back in 2008 at the foundation launch. Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

Cancer-fighting charity the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has raised more than £4 million, it announced today as it celebrates its fourth anniversary.

The former England football manager launched the project as he battled cancer for a fifth time on March 25 2008 with the initial target of raising £500,000.

That total has been smashed and continues to rise, despite the death of Sir Bobby in July 2009 at the age of 76.

It took just seven weeks to reach the initial £500,000 target after Sir Bobby launched the foundation with the support of his oncologist Professor Ruth Plummer and his many friends in sport and showbusiness.

The launch of the Bobby Robson Foundation in 2008. (left to right) Jim Rosenthal, Bob Wilson Dr Ruth Plummer and Des Lynham Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

She had asked Sir Bobby and his wife Lady Elsie for help with equipping the centre, and he dedicated many of his final months to raising funds.

He believed the cause was his greatest legacy after a lifetime in professional sport.