The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has announced that donations have reached up to £8m.

The cancer research charity was set up by the former England and Newcastle United manager in 2008 while he was battling the disease.

Before his death in 2009, Robson had hoped that the charity would raise £500,000, but it has surpassed that figure by a considerable amount.

"We're absolutely thrilled by this new fundraising total," BBC News quotes Lady Robson as saying. "It's incredible really. We had no idea how well-supported we would be when we launched in 2008. Bob would be stunned."

The charity helps towards developing new cancer treatments at hospitals on Tyneside.