This week the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is launching a special dvd in tribute to Sir Bobby to raise funds for his cancer charity.
 
‘A Knight to Remember’ contains exclusive footage of Sir Bobby’s final interviews and features contributions from high profile names from sport and entertainment including Gary Lineker, Sir Bobby Charlton, Ant and Dec, Des Lynam, Brendan Foster, Shay Given, Sir Alex Ferguson, Malcolm Macdonald, Jack Charlton, Bob Moncur, Steve Cram and Paul Gascoigne.
 
The dvd includes an introduction from Newcastle United and England legend Alan Shearer, who was recently announced as the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation’s first patron, and he also contributes his own personal memories of meeting and working with Sir Bobby.
 
Alan says: “A Knight to Remember is an extremely special tribute to Sir Bobby.  It’s very funny, very touching and reminds us all why he was so loved.
 
“The respect and affection he commanded from everyone lucky enough to have known him shines through in every interview.”
 
In addition to reviewing an incredible career in football the dvd tackles the age old question – did Sir Bobby actually forget people’s names – and includes Paul Gascoigne’s entertaining memories of Italia ’90.
 
Sir Bobby also describes his feelings about his charity and the donors and fund-raisers who have made it such a success – people who he said “have touched my heart.”
 
Alan adds: “Sir Bobby was totally committed to his charity and thanks to incredible and generous support, it’s already helping to fund pioneering cancer research here in the North East. 
 
“Anyone who buys A Knight to Remember, hosts a fund-raising event or makes a donation to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is playing their part in the fight against this devastating disease.
 
“I’m sure the dvd will be very popular and raise a lot of money for this important cause.”
 
In addition to interviews and footage from Sir Bobby’s career and fund-raising efforts, ‘Auf Wiedersehen Pet’ stars Tim Healy, Kevin Whately and Jimmy Nail perform a very special version of the Blaydon Races especially for the dvd, while each of Sir Bobby’s three sons offers a very personal perspective of the man who was simply ‘Dad.’
 
A Knight to Remember is priced at £17 and is initially available from JG Windows, HMV shops and all good DVD retailers.  Sales of the dvd will benefit the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which has just broken through the £2 million mark.
 
The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation launched in March 2008 and focuses on the clinical trials of cancer drugs and treatments.  It has already equipped the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre in Newcastle, funded a specialist research nurse and doctor and provided a children’s waiting area at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care. 
 
The charity is now looking into funding more effective ways of monitoring drug delivery to areas of the body affected by 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.
 
Tim Healy, Kevin Whately and Jimmy Nail’s version of Blaydon Races is free to download from the charity’s website www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk and anyone who wishes to make a donation in return can do so.

I attended the premiere event at Newcastle’s Tyneside cinema, an audience including Bobby’s sons, Alan Shearer and Tim Healy. The film really gripped the audience, raucous laughter for some of the funny scenes with Gazza and Des Lynam. But a lot of tears as well for a moving as well as humorous DVD memorial to a great man. A great north eastern man. I’ll be buying it and I’d urge anyone else to do the same as it is a fitting tribute to a north eastern colossus.