Alan Shearer | Tyne Tees

12:48 pm, Fri 19 Apr 2013

Prized NUFC shirt stolen from children's hospital ward

Children and staff at North Tyneside General Hospital have been left heartbroken after callous thieves stole a treasured signed Newcastle United shirt from their ward.

The 2002 shirt, signed by Alan Shearer, the late Bobby Robson and other members of the team, was taken from its frame from the play room in the Children’s Ward.

The theft is believed to have taken place sometime between Monday 15 April and Wednesday 17 April.

Newcastle United has a long-standing relationship with the ward, run by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

In 2002, Alan Shearer opened the refurbished ward and players regularly come to the hospital at Christmas to give presents to the young patients.

“Newcastle United were very disappointed to hear the news that a signed shirt has been stolen from the Children’s Ward at North Tyneside hospital and would appeal for its return at the earliest opportunity.

“We’re told the children love looking at the shirt and often try to identify the names of the players, such as Alan Shearer and Shay Given, so it’s really a very callous act by whoever was responsible for this thoughtless and mindless theft.”

– A Newcastle United spokesman

“We just can’t believe that someone would stoop so low. The staff and children are heartbroken and really angry and upset.

“We were so pleased that the shirt was donated to the ward and it has given pleasure to the thousands of families who have used the ward over the last 11 years - for someone to take this just beggars belief.

“We hope that someone somewhere has information about the shirt as we would really like it to be returned."

– Carole Clayton, ward manager

"This shirt was very popular with the children on the ward and we are appealing for the public's help to identify the heartless thief who stole it.

"We are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious at around that time, or who is offered the shirt for sale, to contact police on 101 ext 69191, or ring the independent charity Crime stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

– PC Andy Wait

2:18 pm, Mon 10 Dec 2012 Alan Shearer patron of hospital charity

Shearer: "I feel hugely honoured to be patron of CHUF"

"I feel hugely honoured to have been appointed as a Patron of the Children's Heart Unit Fund (CHUF).

"I am extremely proud of the North East and to have a unit of this calibre serving both the region and the UK is a credit to our medical profession and talented medical professionals within."

– Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer named as Children's Heart Unit patron

The Children's Heart Unit Fund at the Freeman Hospital (known as CHUF) has named ex-Newcastle United player Alan Shearer as its newest patron.

The unit treats patients from all over the UK. The charity was set up to support their families, including providing accommodation during treatment.

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1:38 pm, Fri 24 Aug 2012 Shearer at charity golf day

Alan Shearer tees off for charity at Northumberland golf day

Shearer on golf course — Alan Shearer tees off for charity Credit: ITV

Alan Shearer spent this morning raising money to help disabled people and their families. The former Newcastle captain was guest of honour at a golf day in Northumberland.

To celebrate his old shirt number, the number nine teed off at 9am from the ninth hole. Money raised will go to the Alan Shearer Foundation and St Cuthbert's Care, a charity which provides support and care for vulnerable people across the North East.