Former Newcastle United star becomes patron of Sir Bobby Robson Foundation

Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper has become a patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

He is the first new Patron of the charity since Lady Elsie asked friends from within football, including Niall Quinn, Alan Shearer and Steve Gibson, for their help following Sir Bobby’s death.

The announcement was made at an informal get-together with Foundation fundraisers hosted by Lady Elsie and her son, Andrew Robson.

Lady Elsie says: “Steve’s been absolutely unwavering in his support for Bob’s charity from day one. He’s always been there when we’ve needed him.

“More than that, he’s always had a great appreciation and understanding of the importance of the work we’re helping to fund.

“As a family, very soon after Bob died, we decided to keep going with the charity. We could see the good that it was doing and we all knew how important it was to Bob. He called it his legacy.

“That was back in 2009 and over the years Steve has done so much to support us, publicly and privately, that somehow it didn’t feel right that he wasn’t also a Patron.

“So I asked a small number of friends if they could help out by becoming Patrons and, thankfully, they all said yes. We’re very lucky to have their ongoing support.

“He has such a close connection to Bob and he’s such a wonderful man, so thoughtful and understanding.

“Like Bob, he’s a County Durham lad and he has a marvellous character. You can see that when he’s talking with fundraisers and people affected by cancer.

“We’re very grateful to Steve, and all our wonderful Patrons. I know Bob would be very proud to have him back in his team, ‘officially,’ as it were."

Sir Bobby Robson launched his Foundation in 2008 and it has gone on to raise over £11 million to find more effective ways to detect and treat cancer.

The work funded directly benefits cancer patients in the North East and Cumbria and plays a significant role in the international fight against the disease.