Sir Bobby charity raises £250,000

Sir Bobby is fighting cancer for a fifth time

Sir Bobby Robson has hit the halfway mark in his quest to raise £500,000 for his cancer charity.

The 75-year-old former England manager is raising funds for a state-of-the-art cancer research centre to help doctors find a cure for the disease.

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation was set up one month ago, and has raised a total of £250,000.

Sir Bobby, who is battling the disease for the fifth time, said he was "overwhelmed" by the response.

He wants to repay the NHS for the care he has received since he was first diagnosed with cancer in 1992.

'Dig deep'

A year ago he was diagnosed with inoperable tumours in both lungs and has undergone chemotherapy.

He admitted he was unlikely to beat the disease, but said the Foundation was his legacy to the nation.

The charity was founded to raise money to equip the new Early Cancer Trials Unit at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, which is being built at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

The centre will focus on early detection and treatment, as well as clinical trials of new drugs.

He said: "I can't believe the fantastic messages of support that people have written. It is unbelievable and I appreciate it very much indeed.

"Please dig deep and keep donating. We still have a long way to go, but with your help I am sure we can make it."