Editing Alan Shearer (section)

===Philanthropy===
[[File:Alan Shearer's bear, Paddington Bear, Childline - geograph.org.uk - 4294125.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Shearer's Newcastle United-themed [[Paddington Bear]] statue on display at the [[Childline]] offices in London. It was auctioned for the [[National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children]] (NSPCC)]]
During his playing days, Shearer had been involved with the [[National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children]] (NSPCC), taking part in the organisation's Full Stop campaign in 1999.<ref name="NSPCCambassadorpage"/> Since retiring from football Shearer has also done work for several charities both nationally and in the Newcastle area.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-38219383|title=Shearer honoured for charity work|date=6 December 2016|access-date=16 December 2019|language=en-GB|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428191431/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-38219383|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/alan-shearer|title=Alan Shearer: Charity Work & Causes|website=Look to the Stars|language=en|access-date=16 December 2019|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302225043/https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/alan-shearer|url-status=live}}</ref>

In his [[testimonial match]], he raised £1.64m benefiting fourteen good causes including £400,000 for the NSPCC and £320,000 for completion of the "Alan Shearer Centre", a respite care facility based in [[West Denton]], Newcastle.<ref name="BBCNews11May2007Testimonial">{{cite news| title = Centre is named after Toon legend| work = BBC News| date = 11 May 2008| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/6645813.stm| access-date = 24 July 2008| archive-date = 17 September 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070917172122/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/6645813.stm| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/tm_headline=shearer-s-gift-is-a-new-way-to-care&method=full&objectid=18597445&siteid=50081-name_page.html|title=Shearer's gift is a new way to care|access-date=24 July 2008|first=Paul|last=James|publisher=Journal Live|date=9 February 2007|archive-date=4 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104121711/http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/tm_headline%3Dshearer-s-gift-is-a-new-way-to-care%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D18597445%26siteid%3D50081-name_page.html}}</ref> In October 2006, he became an ambassador for the NSPCC, describing it as "the kick-off to my most important role yet".<ref name="NSPCCambassadorpage">{{cite web|url=http://www.nspcc.org.uk/whatwedo/celebritysupporters/ambassadors/alanshearer/ambassadoralanshearer_wda39678.html|title=NSPCC Ambassador Alan Shearer OBE|access-date=24 July 2008|publisher=NSPCC|archive-date=8 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908074133/http://www.nspcc.org.uk/whatwedo/celebritysupporters/ambassadors/alanshearer/ambassadoralanshearer_wda39678.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He has also worked with The Dream Foundation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1378995/Charity-leaders-held-over-%27missing-funds%27.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919155957/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1378995/Charity-leaders-held-over-%27missing-funds%27.html|archive-date=19 September 2012|title=Charity leaders held over 'missing funds'|access-date=24 July 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=19 July 2001 | location=London | first=Paul | last=Stokes}}</ref> In 2006, Shearer founded the Alan Shearer Academy Scholarship to aid the development of promising young players in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://breakingnews.iol.ie/sport/?jp=cweyeyidmhql|title=Shearer donates testimonial proceeds to charity|access-date=24 July 2008|publisher=Ireland Online|date=28 March 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108043001/http://breakingnews.iol.ie/sport/?jp=cweyeyidmhql|archive-date=8 January 2009}}</ref>

In 2008, he raised over £300,000 for [[Sport Relief]] in a bike ride with fellow ''Match of the Day'' presenter [[Adrian Chiles]], the idea for which emerged in an off the cuff question from cycling fan Chiles to Shearer as to how he kept fit since retirement.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7297029.stm|title=Football duo finish charity ride|access-date=24 July 2008|work=BBC News|date=14 March 2008|archive-date=19 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319000955/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7297029.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Shearer also played and scored twice in [[Soccer Aid]], a game involving celebrities and former players at [[Wembley Stadium]] in September 2008, to raise money for [[UNICEF]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/55285-soccer-aid-2008-a-real-problem-for-football |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612212901/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/55285-soccer-aid-2008-a-real-problem-for-football |archive-date=12 June 2022 |title=Soccer Aid 2008: A Real Problem For Football |date=8 September 2008 |last=McNair |first=Andrew |publisher=[[Bleacher Report]] |access-date=6 February 2023}}</ref>

On 26 July 2009, Shearer played and scored in the [[Sir Bobby Robson Trophy match]], a charity match held at [[St James' Park]] in tribute of [[Bobby Robson]] and in aid of his cancer charity the [[Sir Bobby Robson Foundation]].<ref name="BBC26Jul09">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8169351.stm |title=Football match honours Sir Bobby|work=BBC News|date=26 July 2009 |access-date=29 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731101707/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8169351.stm |archive-date=31 July 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> It proved to be Robson's last public appearance, as he died five days later.<ref name="BBC31Jul09Legend">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8177945.stm|title=Football legend Robson dies at 76 |work=BBC News|date=31 July 2009|access-date=31 July 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160314162706/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8177945.stm| archive-date=14 March 2016| url-status=live}}</ref> On 15 October 2009, Shearer became the new [[patron]] of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.<ref name=AP15Oct09>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gzEzVjOMOH_DXF3YXrRwRclp1XEQ |title=Robson cancer fund at £2m: Shearer |publisher=UK [[Press Association]] |date=15 October 2009 |access-date=15 October 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240524125032/https://www.webcitation.org/5kXlnngzP?url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gzEzVjOMOH_DXF3YXrRwRclp1XEQ |archive-date=24 May 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>