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A North East building society has pledged further support to pioneering cancer research after helping raise more than £3 million for a charity founded by football legend Sir Bobby Robson.
Newcastle Building Society, the largest corporate supporter of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, has backed the construction of the new £30 million Sir Bobby Robson Institute in Newcastle.
The state-of-the-art cancer drug trials centre, under construction at Freeman Hospital, aims to improve patient outcomes and expand access to clinical trials across the region.
Jill Armstrong, managing director at Newcastle Building Society, said: “Newcastle Building Society has a long and proud history of supporting the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation as part of our wider ranging support for communities across our region.
“Over the past decade we have contributed more than £3m to their life-changing work, including the recent funding of a Trainee Specialist Cancer Research Nurse as part of the team delivering vital clinical trials.
“This latest funding for the Sir Bobby Robson Institute is another important way for us to stand alongside the incredible work they do, helping to improve outcomes for patients, support our communities and invest in a healthier future for the North East.”
The £30 million institute is being funded by the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, with more than £28 million already raised through donations.
Newcastle Building Society has contributed £50,000 to the project via the Newcastle Building Society Community Fund at the Community Foundation North East.
Construction has just begun at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
Professor Ruth Plummer, director of the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Centre, said: “The long term and very generous support we’ve had from Newcastle Building Society has been absolutely invaluable over the years.
“It has enabled us to progress innovative cancer research work and in recent years has funded a specialist nursing post within the current trials centre. So, we already know how passionate the society is about progressing new cancer treatments that will benefit patients both now and in the future.
“Their support for the new Sir Bobby Robson Institute is a continuation of that commitment and we greatly appreciate it.”
The new building will greatly expand the work currently being delivered at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Centre.
By bringing together clinicians, researchers, and advanced technology under one roof, the institute will accelerate breakthroughs in cancer treatment and improve patient care across the North East, North Cumbria, and North Yorkshire.
Once completed, the centre will enable a 50 per cent increase in cancer clinical trial activity over the next five years.
It is expected to serve around 3.5 million people and contribute to global cancer research and treatment developments.
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Newcastle Building Society has supported the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation for nearly 15 years.
In 2019, the society funded a trainee specialist cancer research nurse at the Freeman Hospital.
Fundraising for the Sir Bobby Robson Institute is ongoing.
Anyone wishing to support the project can contact Kate Bradley at kate.bradley14@nhs.net or call 0191 213 7235.
More information about the Sir Bobby Robson Institute and its work can be found at www.sirbobbysgreatestteam.co.uk.