Shearer to head Sir Bobby charity

Alan Shearer said he was proud to be at the helm of the foundation

Alan Shearer is to take over the helm of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, the charity has revealed.

The former Newcastle star will be welcomed as patron of the cancer charity by Sir Bobby's widow Lady Elsie and her sons Paul, Andrew and Mark.

County Durham-born Sir Bobby died on 31 July at the age of 76 following a long battle against the disease.

Almost £2m has been raised for the foundation, which has established a cancer trials unit in Newcastle.

Mr Shearer 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.

"Sadly nobody goes through their lives unaffected by cancer and I'm proud that there are experts working towards a cure for the disease here in the North East.

"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."

Lady Elsie added: "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."

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation was launched in March 2008 and focuses on the clinical trials of cancer drugs and treatments.