The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) have joined forces to host an online auction of exclusive lots where once in a lifetime sporting experiences take centre stage.
This is the third global online auction that veteran voluntary fundraiser Gina Long has organised along with her Special Events Committee and as bidding currently stands, more than £20k has been raised.
The sporting world have again stepped up to the plate in honour of the late Sir Bobby Robson with top lots this year including:
- FIFA Ballon d’Or Awards in Zurich – Two VIP All Inclusive GALA DINNER AWARDS Tickets as Guests of FIFA President, Joseph “Sepp” Blatter. This is the `Ultimate Football Experience` as two people will be guests of FIFA and tickets for this event cannot be purchased anywhere. Includes entrance to the event on the red carpet and a Gala dinner alongside players, coaches, VIP guests of the football family.
- FC Barcelona Experience – FC Barcelona Watch Training and Game Experience. A once in a lifetime opportunity for two people to attend training at FC Barcelona. Included in this amazing prize are two tickets for a FC Barcelona home match at Camp Nou, one of the world`s truly great stadiums.
- 2015 PFA Awards Dinner – A pair of exclusive VIP tickets to attend the 2015 PFA Awards Dinner, donated by Gordon Taylor OBE Chief Executive of the PFA. The PFA Awards Ceremony is the biggest occasion in the football calendar, the night when the country`s football professionals, sports VIPs, football industry and media gather to pay tribute to the men and women that have been chosen as the PFA`s Players of the year and of course to celebrate another year of the beautiful game.
This fantastic prize, courtesy of UEFA, will ensure that two lucky people are guaranteed tickets to attend the UEFA Champions League final in June 2015 at Berlin’s Olympiastadion Kindly donated by UEFA www.UEFA.com
- Tottenham Hotspur VIP Experience – four guests to travel to Tottenham Hotspur`s new state-of-the-art Training Centre to watch the First Team squad train and meet first team players and coaching staff. You will also take home a copy of the Spurs Opus – a limited edition celebration book of 125 years of Spurs’ history and heritage.
- McLaren Technology Centre – EXCLUSIVE VIP Tour for 6 people
A tour for six people to enjoy an exclusive opportunity to visit the McLaren Technology Centre & McLaren Production Centre, which includes McLaren Racing – the Formula One Team and McLaren Automotive – the manufacturers of the McLaren P1™ and 650S super sports cars.
- QPR VIP meet Harry Redknap and Matchday Experience – Two QPR Directors Box tickets for a Premier League game at Loftus Road, with a signed QPR shirt being presented to the winner before the game by manager Harry Redknapp.
- Exclusive invitation from the LMA to play in a football tournament at England’s stunning Training Base, St George`s Park. This is an amazing opportunity for a team to take part in the LMA Corporate Football Tournament at St George`s Park, April 2015. This experience includes: your team coached by an LMA Ambassador; team kit provided; use of the elite changing rooms used by the England teams and provision of staff physiotherapist; a full behind-the-scenes tour of St George`s park; FA Qualified coaches facilitating the matches; Pre and post-match food and beverage; Prize giving and Q&A session with LMA Ambassadors.
- Messi and Xavi signed UEFA Champions League football and Philipp Lahm signed boots
- Two VIP tickets to the final day of the World Snooker Championships 2015. Perfect for the snooker fan, this prize consists of two tickets to attend both sessions of the Final of the 2015 World Snooker Championship at The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.
Highly collectable football memorabilia signed by some of football’s greats has been donated to the auction by UEFA:
- Newcastle United ‘behind the scenes’ matchday experience. This is the prize of a lifetime for Newcastle fans – the chance for two people to attend a game of their choice* to meet Newcastle Utd’s players as they arrive for photos, watch the game from the press box to see how the media cover the match and attend the Managers’ Press Conference after the game. Kindly donated by Newcastle United www.nufc.co.uk
More than 100 ‘money can’t buy’ lots have been secured so far, with more being donated as the auction grows in stature.
Gina Long said: “We are indebted to the generosity of all those who have so kindly supported our special auction where 100% of the money raised goes to the two charities.
“Words can’t express just how grateful we are for all the fantastic lots we’ve received.
“Football fans are spoilt for choice with this auction – from rubbing shoulders with the world’s greatest footballers on the red carpet at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Awards in Zurich, to meeting Harry Redknapp at QPR and Loftus Road directors box tickets – there really are some fabulous once in a life time opportunities to be had.
“Not only will you make a dream come true in meeting your heroes or getting your hands on signed merchandise, you’ll also be supporting the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and EACH – two fantastic charities who will change lives with the funds raised.
“Register to bid now before you miss your chance – go to http://bit.ly/EACHSIRBOBBYAuction.”
The Online Auction is live now with bidding closing from 8pm on Sunday 19 October. To keep up to date with all the auction news on Twitter follow: #EACHSIRBOBBYAuction
We’re still able to include new prizes so if you’d like to be involved by donating a prize, please contact Camilla Haycock at EACH on 01473 276193 or [email protected].
Sir Bobby and Lady Elsie launched the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in 2008 after a request for help from his oncologist Professor Ruth Plummer.
Sir Bobby said he would give up a year of his life to the charity. In fact, he became so passionate about it that, despite being very ill, he spent his last 18 months doing all he could to raise funds to find more effective ways to detect and treat cancer through his Foundation.
He described it as “like being at the helm of a team again” – his last and greatest team – and always said ‘when’ not ‘if’ we beat cancer. Sir Bobby truly believed, with us all pulling together, we will beat the disease.
The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation funds projects within the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that directly benefit patients from across the North East and Cumbria – and which contribute significantly to international efforts and research into fighting cancer.
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