This summer we're doing the Wacky Rally, Barmy to Barcelona 2022 – a 1,500-mile adventure from St James' Park in Newcastle to the Nou Camp in Barcelona – across some immense mountain passes in an old banger to raise much-needed funds for the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at The Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne.

This cause is very close to my heart. Cancer touches the lives of more people than we realise – and last year it touched mine. I received amazing care and treatment at the Freeman from the NHS, which we’re so lucky to have in the UK, and for which I’m forever grateful.

I’m now doing well and looking forward to taking on this challenge to help raise awareness, make a start on giving back to those who helped me and my family, and support their ongoing invaluable work for whoever may need it next – hence the crazy mission!

The Three Kidneys!

Between 1^st and 4^th July, Neil and I - also known as 'The Three Kidneys' - will be travelling in a highly decorated banger from Newcastle to the start line in Lille in France and in turn to Barcelona in Spain, via the Swiss Alps, the rolling hills of Italy and the French Riviera. It’s all about having fun, drawing attention to some incredibly worthwhile causes, and raising as much money for charity as possible on the way.

Our target is a big number, but in many ways doesn't feel anything like enough versus what the NHS did for me.

Anyone who’d like to find out more or follow our mission in finding a car, preparing it for the rally and our adventures across Europe can do so here on our Wacky Rally page: http://wackyrally.co.uk/crm/team-profile/658   

And below is some more information about the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the incredible work done by the Northern Centre for Cancer Care located at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

All support – and awareness raising – is sincerely appreciated. Thank you. 

Sir Bobby Robson Foundation (Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital)

Sir Bobby Robson launched his Foundation to help find more effective ways to detect and treat cancer, after a request for help from his oncologist Professor Ruth Plummer. She was treating Sir Bobby as he faced cancer for the fifth and what he knew would be the final time. She needed to raise £500,000 to equip a new cancer drug trials centre at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care in Newcastle upon Tyne and asked him if he knew anyone who might like to donate. Sir Bobby responded by launching a charity to get the money she needed. He described it as like being at the helm of a team again. What he called his last and greatest team. 

http://sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk/