Help to make the Sir Bobby Robson Institute a reality
Join Sir Bobby’s greatest team and help to realise our vision of building the Sir Bobby Robson Institute. This project is the proud culmination of many years of fundraising by communities, individual donors, corporate organisations and Trusts, and the Robson family, all inspired by Sir Bobby’s dream that started when he created his Foundation as part of the Charity, to have access to world-class cancer research and treatment for the people of the region and beyond.
Cancer trials really do save lives by shaping the global effort to understand and treat cancers. The work of the Institute will play a critical part in this by giving hope to people who may have exhausted existing options.
We’re looking for one last great team effort from what Sir Bobby called his “last and greatest ever team” to raise the final £10m to complete the new building, with £20m already raised through incredibly generous donations to The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
This landmark three-storey building at the Freeman Hospital, with state-of-the-art facilities – research outpatients department, treatment bays, laboratory, and consultation rooms – will be home to two major research teams under one roof, connecting early and late-stage trials in one seamless process.
Special thanks go to organisations including Esh Group, the Sir James Knott Trust and NorthStandard Ltd and all the people who have shown early leadership in support of our fundraising campaign.
Major milestone reached
An important milestone for the campaign was reached in December 2025 when planning permission for this building was granted – a huge vote of confidence in the project, already backed by the NHS, scientific and medical communities, industry, politicians, and donors and of course, the people of the region.
Our campaign has now entered a critical phase to turn the vision into reality. This world-leading Institute will increase cancer trial capacity by 50 per cent, attracting global research talent and bringing new hope to patients and families across the North East, North Cumbria and North Yorkshire.
Initially, we’re engaging with potential major funders and companies followed by an exciting community fundraising campaign launching in Spring 2026.
Can you help?
If you are a major funder we’d love to hear from you straight away. Phase one of this campaign is about engaging with people like you who have a passion for changing lives by supporting a dedicated and innovative team of clinical staff who have already rolled out two life-saving cancer drug treatments globally, with more in the pipeline.
By contributing funding to the building of this Institute, you would be giving opportunities to 50% more people than we’re able to accept now, so they can take part in life-saving trials.
Get in touch
If you would like to start a conversation about supporting the funding of this project, email Kate Bradley, Campaign Director, Sir Bobby Robson Institute – [email protected]
If you’re representing a company, please contact Shelley Brunsdon, Corporate Fundraising Lead – [email protected]
