Widnes jersey raises £40k for Sir Bobby Robson charity

The campaign behind this year's Widnes Vikings jersey for the upcoming Magic Weekend has raised almost £40,000 for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

For the second consecutive year, the Super League club will wear a limited edition jersey for the event at St James' Park on May 21/22. The proceeds from shirt sales will once again be donated to the North East-based cancer charity set up in the former Newcastle United manager's name.

In addition to raising money from shirt sales, in January Widnes launched their #ImOnIt campaign aimed at collecting £10 donations from supporters in exchange for their name being embroidered into the fabric of the jersey.

The scheme proved hugely popular with the full allocation of 3,000 names being sold out. Celebrity names also feature on the shirt including Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Kevin Keegan and Peter Beardsley.

With further donations made by the Vikings and kit supplier O'Neill's Irish Sportswear from the sale of replica Magic Weekend jerseys the total donation currently stands at £38,120, which is almost double last year's £20,000 total.

Widnes Vikings Director Brian O'Connor told ITV News:

Widnes Vikings will open the six-match Super League event when they face Salford Red Devils at 2:30pm on Saturday.