A young Newcastle United supporter has raised hundreds of pounds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation by running laps around St James’ Park.
Five-year-old Parker Raine ran three times around the outside of the stadium alongside his dad, James Raine, to raise £283 for the charity. Founded by Sir Bobby Robson, the foundation funds a range of cancer treatments and innovative cancer support services that helps patients in the North East and Cumbria.
Little Parker from Sunderland, is one of the youngest supporters of the foundation, which is part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity. A huge Newcastle United fan, Parker has held a season ticket at Newcastle for more than two years and loves learning about the club's history.
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“Whenever we’re in Newcastle, he always wants to go to the Sir Bobby statue at St James’ Park," Parker's dad James said.
“He recently saw some footage of Sir Bobby on the television and we talked a lot about him. Parker’s previously done a little run for charity and he decided he wanted to do something to help Sir Bobby’s charity this time. We’re all extremely proud of him.”
Parker reached his fundraising target of £100 in just a few days thanks to family members and went on to raise almost three times as much.
Dad James who joined Parker for his run on March 5, added: “It’s good to try and teach kids from a young age about helping others. Running is also something that’s helping build Parker’s self-confidence.
"Like me, he’s had some issues with speech and has needed some therapy and doing something like this run is really helpful for him. I’m also really proud that he chose to support a charity that means a lot to me personally.
"My grandad was the main male figure in my life and growing up and I’d spent two or three nights every week at his house. He was diagnosed with cancer when I was 24 and I moved in to help care for him.
"So, I know how important the work of Sir Bobby’s Foundation is and it’s fantastic to know his great-grandson has done something to help other people with cancer.”
Sir Bobby Robson launched his Foundation in 2008 and it has gone on to raise over £16m to help find more effective ways to detect and treat cancer, working within the NHS and in partnership with other leading charities and organisations.
Sir Bobby's wife, Lady Elsie, said: “I was very touched to hear about Parker’s fundraising for our Foundation. To be thinking of others at such a young age is a really lovely thing and his whole family must be very proud of him.
“Our thanks to Parker and to everyone kind enough to sponsor him. We’ll make sure the money raised is put to very good use.”
