One of Sir Bobby Robson’s final acts on behalf of his charity was also one of his most enjoyable when he officially launched a new children’s waiting area at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care in Newcastle.
Funded through donations to the charity, the new waiting area cost £10,000 and contains a flat screen television, dvd player, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation, arts and crafts equipment and other games - all designed to distract children who have to visit the Centre for treatment.
Lady Elsie joined Sir Bobby at the launch and comments: “It was a real pleasure to see this wonderful new facility open.
“Coming to hospital on a regular or even daily basis is not a pleasant experience but it’s particularly hard for children. Understandably they will be nervous about their treatment and it must be hard for them to understand what is happening and why.
“The overwhelming majority of the money donated to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is helping to fund the clinical trials of drugs and treatments to beat cancer but Bobby and I both felt this was an important project within the NHS which deserved funding.
“Speaking to the parents of some of the children receiving treatment here it’s clear this new waiting area has made a huge difference and I'm very proud that we were able to help.”
Tony and Jane Tranter from Eston, Middlesbrough, were regular visitors to the Northern Centre for Cancer Care with eight-year-old daughter Eva.
Tony says: “Eva had a course of radiotherapy which meant coming into the hospital five days a week for six weeks. Even if she wasn’t so young it would have be an upsetting experience for her despite the best efforts of the wonderful staff.
“The new waiting area made a massive difference as she had so much to distract her and to take her mind off the treatment. It also meant we were away from adult patients and visitors who often stare at the younger patients because they feel so sorry for them.
“We’re very grateful to everyone who donated to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and helped make Eva’s hospital visits so much more bearable.”
The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is continuing with the backing of Sir Bobby’s family and donations continue to arrive with the current total over £1.8 million.
The charity focuses on the clinical trials of cancer drugs and treatments and has already equipped a trials unit at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. It has also funded a specialist research nurse and doctor and every penny donated will be spent within NHS cancer projects.
The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre offers patients from across north east England, North Yorkshire and Cumbria access to early trials and potential new treatments and is at the forefront of the fight against cancer.
To make a donation, view messages of support, or for more information on The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, please visit www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk or donate by sending a cheque to Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, PO Box 307, Heaton NE7 7QG
(left to right) Eva Tranter (Eston, Middlesbrough), Sir Bobby Robson, David Dawson (Lanchester, County Durham) and Cameron Angus (Gosforth, Newcastle)
To rate this article select the number of stars you think perfectly rates this article.
|
