Sir Alex Ferguson is the latest sports icon to get behind Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Online Charity Auction which is entering its final week and which aims to raise £1million in memory of Sir Bobby Robson.
Sir Alex’s prize will no doubt create a bidding frenzy as he enhances Lot 44, a painting of Sir Alex by renowned artist Ben Mosley, by personally inviting the successful bidder and a guest to attend the Manchester United v Newcastle United game on 7th December at Old Trafford, have lunch and then meet Sir Alex and see him sign the painting.
Ben Mosley painting “Sir Alex Ferguson, The King of Managers” 100x100cm Acrylic on Canvas
In this painting Mosley pays homage to the legendary manager. Sir Alex Ferguson is an icon of the modern game and with 49 trophies to his name is arguably one of the greatest managers of all time. Certainly, his managerial career is the greatest Britain has ever known.
Sir Alex said “I am very proud to support Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Auction in honour of my dear friend Bobby Robson. In my 27 years working in England, there is not a person I would put an inch above Bobby Robson. He was a great friend, a wonderful individual, a tremendous football man and somebody with passion and knowledge of the game that was unsurpassed.
“The strength and courage he showed over the many years when battling against cancer was indescribable.
Always a smile, always a friendly word, with never a mention of his own problems.
The world, not just the football world, misses him, as I do. Let’s hope it won’t be long before another like him turns up because we could never get enough of them. I hope that people around the world will get behind this Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough online auction and help them raise hundreds of thousands of pounds in the fight against cancer.”
Sir Alex joins an join an impressive list of sporting stars, celebrities and leading businesses who’ve donated ‘Money can’t buy’ experiences to the auction including Jose Mourinho, Andre Villas-Boas, Graeme Swann, Kieron Dyer, Bill Nighy, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden.
Heading into its final week, the auction has now received more than 300 items donated from sports stars, celebrities and leading business to help raise thousands of pounds for cancer services.
Lot 216 ‘Manchester United VIP Package’ will see four guests enjoy a unique experience at the club including seeing the first team train at the Aon Training Complex and a behind the scenes tour of the facility, as well as a private tour of the Old Trafford stadium and museum, executive seats at a match, plus a meet and greet with Manchester United hosts and ex-players in attendance.
A number of football clubs and associations, both in Europe and internationally, who have also donated prizes to watch training sessions including England, Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, LA Galaxy and Tottenham Hotspur.
Donated by FC Bayern Munich and Josep Guardiola, a once in a lifetime opportunity is for two people to attend training at FC Bayern Munich, then enjoy a meet and greet with the superstar players and receive a first team signed shirt presented by their manager ‘Pep’ Guardiola himself.
Pep, who played under Sir Bobby Robson in 1996/97 at FC Barcelona, commented: “It was a pleasure to know the great Sir Bobby Robson, not only as a coach, but also as a person. Every day with him was a marvellous experience. It was a very difficult season, even though we won three trophies. Despite the problems of that year, he never lost his composure and always behaved like a gentleman. I am very happy to donate a special auction prize and I ask everyone around the world to get involved in Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Auction and go to the auction website”
More items will be announced every day as the auction continues, with latest items including a fantastic chance to attend Ascot Park Polo Club Experience, a signed and framed England RFU Rugby Shirt from the 2012/2013 season, a shirt signed by none other than the world famous racer Lewis Hamilton, a signed Chelsea football from the UEFA Champions League 2012 and VIP tickets to see Sunderland AFC v Everton FC
Mark Robson, Sir Bobby’s son, comments: “The online auction is a fantastic way to help us continue the work my father started and raise crucial funds for cancer charities. We are overwhelmed by the generous donation from FIFA. I urge people, clubs and companies to consider donating, however big or small, and bidding to help us reach our £1million target.”
Other amazing sports prizes include a one-off experience to accompany Kieron Dyer as his personal guest to watch Real Madrid play Barcelona (Lot 114), a private bowling session with Graeme Swann (Lot 35), two tickets for a FC Barcelona home match at Camp Nou (Lot 204), ), a table in the Blue Riband on Ladies Day at Epsom (Lot 242) , access for two lucky teams to play at the famous Essex Cricket Ground (Lot 207) and tickets to three events that are not normally open to the public; the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala ceremony in Zurich (Lot no 103), the PFA awards in London (Lot 10) and VIP tickets to watch both sessions of the 2014 World Snooker Final at Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with a backstage tour and full hospitality (Lot 183).
Gina Long, the auction founder, said “It is so exciting now that Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Online Charity Auction has started and the auction prizes are simply fantastic. The only way we have a hope to raise our £1,000,000 is if people get behind the auction and register to bid. There is an equal split from the 300 amazing prizes of sport and lifestyle; there is literally something for everyone. To have Sir Alex Ferguson’s support and for him to not only be enhancing one of our very special auction prizes and add his own personal donation to it, is incredible!”
Proudly backed by headline supporter BT Sport runs until Sunday 27th October, Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough will raise crucial funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and cancer services within two Suffolk Hospitals.
The auction is now live and to view the catalogue pf prizes and sign up to bid go to: http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/sir-bobbys-breakthrough-auction-and-ball?utm_source=sir-bobby&utm_medium=landing-page&utm_campaign=sir-bobby&utm_content=catlink.