The former Newcastle United and England boss has bravely fought the disease five times.

And 75-year-old Sir Bobby is currently undergoing further treatment after cancer returned to his lungs.

But that hasn't stopped him from establishing the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

And today he launches a £500,000 appeal fund for the establishment of a new cancer research centre bearing his name at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

Sir Bobby is calling on fellow north easterners to dig deep and raise money to equip the new unit, which is expected to open in October.

He hopes the region's famed generosity will quickly reach the target for the establishment of a hi-tech laboratory, including consulting rooms, beds and computers.

It's a typically generous gesture from a man who knows he is fated to lose his latest battle with the disease.

Having successfully fought cancer four times, he was diagnosed with inoperable tumours to both lungs 12 months ago.

Now he wants to leave a legacy outside of football – a unit that will help save the lives of other cancer sufferers.

He said: "I'm in my 76th year. I've had a fantastic sporting life, but I've had cancer five times. None of my four brothers has had cancer. I keep saying I've had their share. But I consider myself lucky. I may have had cancer five times but thanks to the wonderful treatment I had through the NHS my life has been saved.

"Now it's time I paid them back, and I want to do this through the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, initially by raising £500,000 to equip the new cancer trials unit at the Freeman.

"We want the region to have the best state-of-the-art unit not just in England, but in Europe."