Newcastle Building Society backs cancer innovation

Newcastle Building Society has supported the work of The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity for almost 15 years.

In that time, they have donated in more than £3m making the society the foundation’s largest corporate supporter. Now they are backing construction of the Sir Bobby Robson Institute, a world leading cancer drug trials centre for the region.

Construction of the £30m The Sir Bobby Robson Institute has just begun at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

Newcastle Building Society has contributed £50,000 towards the build of the new institute via the Newcastle Building Society Community Fund at the Community Foundation North East. When completed, it will enable ground-breaking cancer treatment that will directly benefit around 3.5million people living in the North East, North Cumbria and North Yorkshire, as well as making a global impact.

Jill Armstrong, Managing Director, Newcastle Building Society, recently visited the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Centre, also at the Freeman Hospital, where, since 2019, the society has funded a post for a trainee specialist cancer research nurse.

Jill says: “Newcastle Building Society has a long and proud history of supporting the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation as part of our wider ranging support for communities across our region. Over the past decade we have contributed more than £3m to their life-changing work, including the recent funding of a Trainee Specialist Cancer Research Nurse there, part of the team delivering the vital clinical trials. This latest funding for the Sir Bobby Robson Institute is another important way for us to stand alongside the incredible work they do, helping to improve outcomes for patients, support our communities and invest in a healthier future for the North East.”

Fundraising for the Sir Bobby Robson Institute is ongoing and the new building will greatly expand the work currently being delivered at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre. By bringing together world-leading researchers, clinicians and cutting-edge technology under one roof, the institute will help accelerate breakthroughs in cancer treatment, increase access to clinical trials and ensure more patients across the North East, Cumbria and beyond can benefit from pioneering treatments closer to home.

Ruth Plummer, Director of the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Centre, says: “The long term and very generous support we’ve had from Newcastle Building Society has been absolutely invaluable over the years.

“It has enabled us to progress innovative cancer research work and in recent years has funded a specialist nursing post within the current trials centre. So, we already know how passionate the society is about progressing new cancer treatments that will benefit patients both now and in the future.

“Their support for the new Sir Bobby Robson Institute is a continuation of that commitment and we greatly appreciate it.”