Durham fast bowler Steve Harmison has chosen to raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson charity due to his friendship with the late Newcastle United manager.

The 34-year-old, who met Robson in 2003 when he was invited to train with the North-East team, has opted to help the charity, which aims to fund early detection and treatment of cancer.

"The way Sir Bobby treated me was incredible," Harmison told the Northern Echo. "He was fantastic with me from the word go and I think the world of the man.

"He helped me out with my training when a lot of people were writing me off, and made me look at the people who were at Newcastle at the time."

Robson passed away from lung cancer in 2009.