Home boy Robbo backs memorial effort (From The Advertiser Series)

Home boy Robbo backs memorial effort

3:47pm Friday 1st March 2013 in Chester-le-Street

FORMER Manchester United and England star Bryan Robson is getting behind the war memorial appeal in his home town.

The one-time Middlesbrough manager donated a signed Manchester United shirt for a charity night auction to help fund-raising for a new monument in Chester-le-Street.

The football legend grew up in Chester-le-Street and the event organisers contacted him through his mother who still lives in the area. The event takes place in the Market tavern, North Burns, Chester-le-Street, tomorrow night (Saturday March 2) at 7.30pm.

It features performance by Buddy Holly tribute act the Baldy Holly Band, 1950s and 1960s fancy dress, and an auction, raffle and tombola with items donated by local businesses.

Among the things to go under the hammer are signed Sunderland and Newcastle United shirts.

Pub owner Ann Grendale is hoping to raise more than £750, which will trigger pound for pound matching from her former employer, Barclays.

The pub, which overlooks the market place, where the new memorial could be sited, has a window dedicated to the appeal.

The event was to have been held in January but had to be cancelled because of bad weather.

“We wrote to Bryan Robson through his mother and he was pleased to help,’’ said Mrs Grendale.

“There is a lot of interest in the war memorial.”

Admission is free but collections buckets will be put for customers to donate money into.