The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre recently celebrated its first birthday, in a grand ceremony which was marked by the presence of Newcastle United legend Peter Beardsley and current goalkeeper Steve Harper and a special cake presentation, at the Freeman Hospital division.

The charity was set up a year back, with funds coming in from the late football legend's foundation.

Since its set up, the cancer centre has treated as many as 560 patients from areas including Northumberland, Tyneside, Wearside, County Durham, Teesside and Cumbria. The charity helps make sure that residents of the North East have easy and quick access to treatments for cancer, which are often so new that they are not yet available to the NHS.

"My husband was very proud that this centre carried his name. He put so much into fundraising for his Foundation and I think he enjoyed managing a team again. It certainly wasn't easy for him given his own fight against cancer at that time, but he was determined to do what he could to help other cancer patients in the North East", said Lady Robson.