4:48PM, Sat Jun 9, 2012

The Longsands Follow In Jimmy Nail's Footsteps With Blaydon Races Charity Song

By Hugh Macknight Location: Newcastle

Trevor Cox presents cheque to charity patron Alan Shearer

Tyneside rockers The Longsands helped celebrate the Blaydon Races 150th anniversary by singing the song for charity - following in the footsteps of Auf Wiedersehen Pet star Jimmy Nail.

The Cramlington five piece raised £1,235 for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation with their version of the terrace anthem.

It follows an earlier vesion recorded by Jimmy Nail, Kevin Whately and Tim Healy for the DVD 'A Knight To Remember', in memory of Sir Bobby.

Longsands lead singer Trevor Cox presented a cheque to football legend Alan Shearer, a patron of the cancer fighting charity.

Cox, 28, said: "As a group we wanted to do something to help the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and this seemed like a very appropriate way to do it.

"Everyone knows someone affected by cancer and it’s important to keep funding research which will help make the disease a thing of the past.

AUDIO: Stars sang anthem for charity DVD A Knight To Remember

"We’re proud to be involved and grateful to all our fans who helped by buying the Blaydon Races single."

Sir Bobby and Lady Elsie launched the charity in 2008 and it has gone on to raise over £4 million to help find more effective treatments for cancer.

The foundation funds projects within the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that directly benefit cancer patients from across the north east and Cumbria, and which contribute significantly to research into the disease.

To make a donation, view messages of support, or for more information please visit www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk or donate by sending a cheque to Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Room 203, Cheviot Court, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN.