The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity, has been announced as the main fundraising partner for this year’s NE1 Newcastle Dragon Boat Race.
This September, thousands of spectators will line Newcastle’s Quayside to cheer on teams not only competing for the coveted Dragon Boat Champion trophy – but to also raise money for charity.
For 2026, participants will be raising money for the foundation to help towards theconstruction of the £30m Sir Bobby Robson Institute.
A world-leading cancer trials research centre for the region at the Freeman Hospital’s Northern Centre for Cancer Care, it will provide patient-centred cancer care and research to find new and faster ways to detect and treat cancer.
With over £26.5 million raised so far, support for The Sir Bobby Robson Institute is now crucial to raise the final funds to complete and fully equip the institute by 2027.
Foundation patron, Shola Ameobi, who played under Sir Bobby at Newcastle United, was on hand to help announce the new charity partnership alongside lion and dragon performers from Edmund Ng’s Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu, Lion and Dragon Club and NE1 Chief Executive, Stephen Patterson.
Shola said: “This is a really exciting way to help support the work of Sir Bobby’s Foundation and I hear the boats sold out fast.
“I’ve no doubts that this event would have appealed to Sir Bobby. He would have loved the idea of each boat working together as a team and he’d have been thrilled to know it was all supporting the work of his Foundation.
“That support is more important than ever now, as everyone’s working hard to find the funding needed to build The Sir Bobby Robson Institute. The new institute will bring more clinical trials and promising new cancer treatments to the region and that’s something we can all pull together on.”
Stephen Patterson, CEO of NE1 said: “We’re honoured to be teaming up with The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation as the fundraising partner for this year’s NE1 Dragon Boat Race event.
Teamwork is central to success on race day, and we hope our racers will take inspiration from Sir Bobby’s legacy.
“Put the date in your diary, it is such an adrenaline fuelled day for both competitors and spectators alike and we encourage everyone to come down to enjoy the event and support the fundraising activities.”
As well as the excitement on the water, visitors can enjoy crafts, live performers, face painting, and other entertainment throughout the day. Racers will also be able to join in these activities between their races, making it a fantastic event for participants and spectators.
For Sir Bobby Robson Institute fundraising enquiries please contact Kate Bradley [email protected] or call 0191 213 7235.
