This year's Dragon Boat Race will support the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation
Shola Ameobi and Stephen Patterson launch the 2026 NE1 Dragon Boat race's fundraising partnership with the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation
Shola Ameobi and Stephen Patterson launch the 2026 NE1 Dragon Boat race's fundraising partnership with the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation(Image: NE1 / Sir Bobby Robson Foundation)
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On the 18th birthday of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, former NUFC star Shola Ameobi has announced a tie-up with the annual NE1 Newcastle Dragon Boat Race. Proceeds from the annual race, which takes place on the River Tyne, will this year go towards the foundation, which is part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity.
Former Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi - who played for Sir Bobby - welcomed the news, which comes as construction hoardings on the new Sir Bobby Robson Institute have been erected. Building work on the new £30m centre for cancer clinical trials will begin later this year.
Speaking on the Quayside, Mr Ameobi 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."
The retired striker was joined by lion and dragon performers from Edmund Ng’s Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu, Lion and Dragon Club and NE1 Chief Executive, Stephen Patterson. Mr Patterson said: "We are 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."
This year's dragon boat race takes place on September 26 - the event sees thousands head to the Quayside to cheer on those taking part. It will see a range of crafts, life perfomances and other entertainment on offer throughout the day.
All boats have now been sold for this year’s race but people can still get involved with the racing by sponsoring and fundraising for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, for more details contact: kitty.brown@newcastlene1ltd.com. To register interest for 2027, see ne1dragonboatrace.com/.
For Sir Bobby Robson Institute fundraising enquiries please contact Kate Bradley Kate.bradley14@nhs.net or call 0191 213 7235.
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