Welcome to
The Robbie Bobby Foundation
The RB Foundation was set up in the name of Robert Alexander Worboys who died peacefully in his sleep from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) in January 2016. He was just 27 years old.
Robbie was a warm, friendly young man who loved life as he loved people. He would always assist anyone who asked for help. He was sympathetic, humble and had an ability to communicate with those from all walks of life.
Rob was born in Epsom, Surrey, the second of 4 children. His father, Ian, is CEO of P3 Logistics based in Prague and his mother, Gina, is Assistant Director of the Old Bedfordians Club. Rob attended Chinthurst Preparatory School in Tadworth and came to Bedford School at the age of 9.
Rob went to Leeds University to read Biology but quickly decided that this was not for him and changed courses after a year and took Environmental Business. He then attended Sheffield University in 2012/3 to read a Masters in Real Estate and on graduating, gained a job as a graduate surveyor with DTZ in Edinburgh. Following their merger with Cushman & Wakefield Rob gained his APC and qualified as a Surveyor, in November 2015, following in a family tradition. Rob loved his job and it was felt by his firm that he had a bright future ahead of him.
Sport had always played a large part in Rob’s life. Highly competitive he had a natural ability at all sports and a dare devil attitude. He played for the 1st XV as well as Bedford Junior Blues and Bedford Athletic RFC, whose Colts team reached the finals of the Midlands Cup and was the U19 Bedfordshire County discus champion. He did his first bungee jump at the age of 12 and in 2015 he trekked the Himalayas in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. At Leeds University he was a member of the University Snowriders Race Team and was Captain of the Men’s Lacrosse Team 2008/9.
It was whilst Rob was at Leeds that he found his real passion. He had always enjoyed watching American Football and he joined the Leeds Celtics American Football team in 2010, becoming Media Secretary and then Captain in 2012. He chose to do his Masters at Sheffield because of their Football team, becoming Captain of the Sheffield Sabres in 2013. He also played for the Yorkshire Rams. He was a wide receiver and was a focal point of the Rams’ offence during his time with the club, exemplified by the 2013 season in which his 607 receiving yards and nine touchdowns both exceeded the output of all his team-mates combined. He was a true team player and always played for the good of the whole team.
When Rob moved to Scotland he joined the East Kilbride Pirates, Scotland’s premier American Football team. After first coming on board as a wide receiver for the Pirates, Rob moved to play safety – a position where he dominated and helped the Pirates in their success as National Premiership North Champions for the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons. Pirates chair Amanda McDonald said: “Rob's passing has been a big blow to the team. Rob was only with us for two seasons, but made a huge impact during that time, both on the field and off it. Rob is hugely missed by all who had the pleasure to know him, play with him and coach with him. He was a true gentleman with a great sense of humour and was much loved by all of us.”
Rob’s' memory will forever live on at East Kilbride Pirates with the Club commissioning a trophy in his name for their Players’ Player of the Year Award.
To Robbie’s family, the shock of losing him was understandably huge. Robbie’s father, Ian, together with Robbie’s mother, Gina, his two brothers, Jamie and Doug and his sister, Anna, have all pulled through this tragic loss by ensuring that he will never be forgotten.
Apart from the setting up of the Robbie Bobby Foundation in his name, much support has been given to the charity CRY ( https://www.c-r-y.org.uk/about-us/). CRY helps prevent young teenagers and adults dying as Robbie did. They test the hearts of young people to try and identify small heart problems that can then be dealt with. They also provide support to families who have been affected by SADS. Each year CRY fundraises through various events such as the London Marathon and their annual London Bridges Walk where over 1,300 walk in memory of those who have died and in support of their families. Through their fundraising, CRY also provides screening for young people between the ages of 13-35 to try and pick up undetected heart defects and to try and prevent further loss to families through heart conditions that, when found, are usually easily manageable and treatable.
Robbie was working at commercial Real Estate firm Cushman and Wakefield when he passed away and this great company now hold The Rob Worboys Isle of Arran Challenge on the Isle of Arran in Scotland each year. This involves a 56 mile cycle ride around the Island, followed by a trek up Goats Fell, the highest peak on the island. See the full story here Arran Challenge
