‘POOLING’ TOGETHER FOR THE SIR BOBBY ROBSON FOUNDATION

Ann Cross, a retired teacher from Gosforth, is splashing out by organising an Aqua Challenge in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation this Saturday (27th September).

L-8The challenge, 45 minutes of aqua aerobics at David Lloyd in Newcastle, is proving very popular and will raise funds for the cancer charity.

Ann says: “I’m hoping to attract people who haven’t tried aqua aerobics before, that’s what will make it a challenge. I’d especially like more men to sign up. We have a few men coming but I’d like to encourage some more along.

“I’ve been doing aqua aerobics for about a year. It’s something anyone can join in with regardless of fitness level. You don’t need to swim because you’re standing in the water and that also means you can take a break whenever you need to. It’s a fantastic way to get fit or get back into exercising and all in aid of a very worthwhile charity.”

David Lloyd is providing facilities for the event free of charge and it is open to non members of the club. Ann is asking for participants to donate to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation or to get sponsored for undertaking the challenge.

L-7The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is a cause that is very close to her heart. Both Ann and her husband Paul have direct experience of cancer and her brother-in-law, Tim Cooke, died from oesophageal cancer aged just 59.

Tim was a patient in the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care and Ann says the extra time they gained through his treatment is something her family will always be thankful for.

Ann says: “Tim’s treatment included a trial cancer drug and that helped win him an extra year. We’re all so grateful that he had the opportunity to try something new at a time when his options were so limited.

“During that last year Tim and my sister Jane married. It was precious time we would not have had without the drug trial at the Sir Bobby Centre.

IMG_0746[1]“It’s a very positive thing when everyone’s pulling together to raise money for charity and especially when you can really see there’s a need for the funding. The Aqua Challenge will be great fun and we’ll also know the money raised will be helping people when they most need it.”

Sir Bobby launched his Foundation in 2008 to help find effective ways to detect and treat cancer. It funds projects, including the clinical trials of new drugs, that directly benefit patients from across the North East and Cumbria and which contribute significantly to international research into cancer.

Liz Luff from the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation says: “We’re very grateful to Ann for organising this Aqua Challenge and to David Lloyd for offering the use of their fantastic facilities.

“This is something everyone can get involved in, either as a one-off or maybe even the start of a new regular activity. The Aqua Challenge will be a lot of fun and it’s all helping the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation too.”

Ann’s Aqua Challenge starts at 4pm on Saturday 27th September and places are limited. For more details or to book please call David Lloyd on 0191 284 1275.

Or you can choose to sponsor Ann by visiting www.justgiving.com/Ann-Cross4.