As in 2011, FC Barcelona is supporting an auction organised by the Bobby Robson Foundation in association with Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Two years ago, the organisations joined forces for Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Online Auction, an online charity auction that involved the participation of different clubs, institutions and individuals. Barça is once again supporting the foundation of its former manager (1996-97) Bobby Robson, who died of cancer on July 31, 2009.
Barça implication
The auction will be held online from October 10 to 27, and Barça are offering the chance for a close-up view of its stars in the form of an invitation to watch Gerardo Martino and his players train coupled with tickets to see a game at the Camp Nou. Anyone who wants to make or donation or place a bid can go to: http://www.sirbobbysbreakthrough.com/wordpress/the-auction/.
A total of 19 football clubs, including Barça, have supported the cause. These include the chance for dinner with Andre-Villas Boas to talk about Tottenham Hotspur after watching the squad train, and a pair of boots signed by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho along with a VIP package for four people to see the Chelsea v Everton game in February, as well as a shirt signed by the first team. Other clubs, including Manchester United, Fulham, Everton, Norwich City, Ipswich Town and Josep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich are also involved.
Destination of funds
Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Online Auction 2013 is aiming to raise as much as one million pounds to support the clinical testing of new cancer treatments, with the continued support of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Breakthrough Breast Cancer, as well as two hospitals in Suffolk in the United Kingdom.