The appeal is raising funds to establish a world-leading cancer research and trials centre in Sir Bobby’s name, growing capacity to accelerate breakthrough treatments and improve patient outcomes.

£20 million has already been raised thanks to the generosity of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation supporters and the aim of the campaign is to secure £10 million by 2027 to fund the construction and specialist equipment needed to deliver cutting-edge research and clinical trials. Every single gift and grant, no matter the size, is a vital part of making the vision a reality.

The current total for the campaign will appear on the campaign page.

The appeal is led by Newcastle Hospitals Charity (Charity No. 1057213). The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is a restricted fund managed by Newcastle Hospitals Charity.

In the early stages of this fundraising appeal, we are engaging with charitable Trusts and Foundations, philanthropic donors, and corporate organisations. In the Autumn of 2026 we’ll be launching a public fundraising campaign giving everyone the opportunity to contribute.

Charitable funding plays a crucial role in accelerating innovation and patient care within the NHS. While the NHS provides essential healthcare services, it has limited resources for pioneering research and specialist facilities. The NHS also operates within strict capital expenditure limits. Large, innovative projects like this often require additional funding and this is where philanthropic support can make a vital difference.

There are multiple ways to support, including individual philanthropy, corporate sponsorships, research partnerships, employee engagement initiatives, naming opportunities, and nominating the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation as your Charity of the Year and legacy giving. We’d be happy to discuss how you can make a meaningful impact.

Yes, there are opportunities to name patient spaces, laboratories, and key facilities within the Institute to recognise significant contributions.

We are committed to acknowledging all supporters through events, donor walls, reports, and bespoke recognition opportunities tailored to each donor’s wishes.

Our target for this appeal is to raise £30 million. If, for any reason, we are unable to use your donation as originally intended, for example, if project costs change, additional funds are raised beyond the amount required, the needs of patients or the hospital change, or the project becomes no longer deliverable, Newcastle Hospitals Charity reserves the right to redirect funds for the most urgent needs of  Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. We will always update you on our use of funds.

If you are thinking of contributing as an individual, via a Trust or Foundation, or as a corporate organisation, we’d be delighted to talk to you. Please contact:

Teri Bayliss, Charity Director – teri.bayliss@nhs.net

Kate Bradley, Campaign Director – kate.bradley14@nhs.net

The Institute will be built at the Freeman Hospital, behind the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, adjacent to the cancer support centre, Maggie’s Newcastle.

The Institute will be owned and operated by The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and fully integrated into the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at Freeman Hospital, ensuring long-term sustainability and impact for generations to come.

Construction is scheduled started in Spring 2026 with the opening planned for 2028.

Neighbours adjacent to the build site have been consulted and invited to submit responses. The response to the proposal was overwhelmingly positive. Planning permission was granted by Newcastle City Council on 12 Dec 2025.

Operating and staffing costs will be met through a combination of NHS funding, research grants, and commercial clinical trial partnerships.

The Institute will bring together the existing Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre and the Oncology and Haematology Research Team. This will create a world leading centre of excellence for early and late phase clinical trials covering the full range of solid and haematological malignancies ensuring access to novel therapies for patients throughout the whole northern region.

Patients from across North East, north Cumbria and North Yorkshire, covering a population of 3.5m people, will have access to groundbreaking trials, with findings helping to shape cancer treatment worldwide.

Cancer trials and research at The Sir Bobby Robson Institute is for adults but future generations will benefit from breakthroughs in cancer treatment and drug discovery in the North East. The Great North Children’s Hospital’s paediatric oncology unit at the RVI provides one of the leading services in the world for childhood cancer research, and is a key partner of the Wolfson Centre for Childhood Cancer at Newcastle University. It includes a dedicated space for young people in the teenage cancer unit.

Yes, our world-leading clinical team will work closely with leading cancer centres in the UK and worldwide, driving innovation through partnerships in science, technology, and medicine. A significant partnership already exists with Newcastle University‘s Newcastle Centre for Cancer.

We will provide regular updates through newsletters, events, and site visits for key supporters. Updates will also be provided on these pages.