200-mile ride marks decade of fundraising
NEWCASTLE TO EINDHOVEN TRIP RAISES MORE CASH FOR SIR BOBBY’S CHARITY
A TEAM of cyclists from Sunniside and Whickham have completed an epic 200-mile bike ride to raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation – and two of the brothers involved paid tribute to their dad, who also died of cancer.
The cyclists have been taking part in rides for the charity for 10 years – calling it Three Days for Bobby.
This year, marking the 10th year they’ve taken on the challenge, their route took them from Sir Bobby’s Sacriston birthplace in County Durham on a route between two of Sir Bobby Robson’s old clubs – Newcastle United and PSV Eindhoven.
The team included brothers Stephen and Kevin Hay. Stephen – who works at Northumbria Water – organises the challenge.
He explained why this year’s was especially poignant.
He said: “This was always going to be a special ride because it’s our 10th, but it’s become really important to me and my family because my dad, Peter, passed away earlier this year with glioblastoma multiforme.
“Dad was involved in a lot of our rides and one of his oldest friends, Graham, has come up from Leeds to do this year’s ride in his place. We also lost a very special woman called Silvia a few weeks ago, also to cancer, so we’ll be riding with the two of them in our minds. That’s why the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is so important to us and why we want to support its work.”
Glioblastoma multiforme is a form of brain cancer.
Over the decade’s fundraising, the group have raised more than £50,000 for Sir Bobby’s foundation.
Former Newcastle goalkeeper and charity patron Steve Harper helped see the cyclists off from St James’ Park on July 27, while they arrived at PSV’S imposing Phillips Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Steve Harper, now director of Newcastle United’s academy, said: “I know Sir Bobby would be passionately supportive of these cyclists and I can almost hear him talking to them about their bikes, what they’re wearing and giving them tips. He was so passionate about everything in life and he left a brilliant footprint on football but his greatest legacy is his wonderful cancer foundation. “And you can feel that today when you see 20-odd guys of all different shapes, sizes, ages and abilities, all getting on their bikes and challenging themselves to help raise some money.”
Over the 14 years since its launch, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has raised more than £16m to help detect and treat cancer. The foundation is part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity. To sponsor the cyclists, visit justgiving. com/fundraising/ 3daysforbobby2022