Construction has officially begun on the Sir Bobby Robson Institute at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, a £30m world-leading drug trials centre funded by The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity. The facility will directly benefit around 3.5 million people living in the North East, North Cumbria and North Yorkshire, while also making a global impact on cancer care.
Newcastle Building Society's £50,000 pledge
Newcastle Building Society has pledged £50,000 towards the new institute, made via the Newcastle Building Society Community Fund at the Community Foundation North East. The society has supported the foundation for almost 15 years, contributing more than £3m in total to become its largest corporate supporter.
Jill Armstrong, managing director at Newcastle Building Society, recently visited the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, where the society has funded a post for a trainee specialist cancer research nurse since 2019. She said: "Newcastle Building Society has a long and proud history of supporting the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation as part of our wider ranging support for communities across our region. Over the past decade we have contributed more than £3m to their life-changing work, including the recent funding of a Trainee Specialist Cancer Research Nurse as part of the team delivering vital clinical trials."
Impact on clinical trials and patient care
Once completed next year, the new institute will allow a 50 per cent increase in clinical trial activity over five years. Fundraising for the institute is ongoing, with more than £28m already raised by supporters and founding donors. The new building will bring together world-leading researchers, clinicians and cutting-edge technology under one roof to accelerate breakthroughs in care.
Professor Ruth Plummer, director of the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Centre, added: "The long-term and very generous support we’ve had from Newcastle Building Society has been absolutely invaluable over the years. It has enabled us to progress innovative cancer research work and in recent years has funded a specialist nursing post within the current trials centre. So, we already know how passionate the society is about progressing new cancer treatments that will benefit patients both now and in the future. Their support for the new Sir Bobby Robson Institute is a continuation of that commitment and we greatly appreciate it."
Broader community support and future outlook
Armstrong emphasised the society's broader commitment: "This latest funding for the Sir Bobby Robson Institute is another important way for us to stand alongside the incredible work they do, helping to improve outcomes for patients, support our communities and invest in a healthier future for the North East." The institute is expected to open next year, with construction now underway at the Freeman Hospital site.
