The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which aims to help those suffering from cancer, is celebrating its fifth anniversary today.
The charity, which was created under the name of Newcastle legend Robson, who passed away in 2009 with lung cancer, has raised £5.2m.
"I'm proud to be a patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and I've been privileged to meet some amazing people through the charity," Alan Shearer told the Chronicle.
"Cancer affects everybody differently. For some people, like Sir Bobby, it becomes a challenge. We all know that sometimes it's just not possible to beat the disease, but I've met lots of people who have dug in regardless.
"People know that by helping the foundation, they're helping others who will have cancer in years to come."
The original target for the charity was to raise £500,000.
