Stardate - Thursday September 30th, 2004 - Robbie is back in England doing some promotional work for this new Greatest Hits album, when, suddenly.....
He makes a surprise visit to his home town of Stoke on Trent.... to see three of the projects supported by his charity fund, when he even found the time to have a quick game of bingo!
He and his mum Jan spent the day touring round...

Bentilee project
As he dropped in at the first of the groups supported by his Give It Sum fund, the Bentilee Volunteers' Neighbourlink, he wasted no time in joining the elderly group in getting his eyes down and going for a full house.
As he entered the hall that the Bentilee project is based in, Robbie joked "I know how much it annoys bingo players if they get interrupted, so I'd better be carefull!"
But he was soon marking his card with those that use the centre, which caters for 100 elderly people by providing lunch clubs, trips, outings and much needed general support.

One of the women who uses the centre, 73-year-old Dot Bostock said: "This place gives us something to look forward to and we are a happy bunch - especially on a day like today with Robbie being here.
We had no idea he was coming and everyone is so excited. It's so great to see a lad from the Potteries doing so well and coming back home."

But Dot also said that it wasn't Robbie's day on the bingo front: "He only needed one number for a line but it never came. Sitting next to him rubbed off on me though, I've had two full houses today!"

Robbie added: "Without places like this, there's no break for people who are caring for sick husbands or wives. It's such a great atmosphere in here and loads of laughter - they give great hugs too!"

Robbie's mum, Jan Williams, spent part of the following day at BBC Radio Stoke where she talked about how Give It Sum works, as well as about how Robbie's doing these days. Click here to listen to her interview with Kevin Fernihough and Janine Machin Click here for Real player help

Newstead actors
After signing autographs, the star then made the trip to the south of the city to a Blurton theatre group which gives adults with learning disabilities the chance to tread the boards.
It's called the Newstead Masqueraders.

Since forming in 2000 the group have put on a number of productions including Alice in Wonderland and George and the Dragon.
Robbie was treated to a dancing display before centre manager Kevin Snape thanked him for his support:"Without Give It Sum's help we just wouldn't be able to do this. The people who use this place are allowed to shine in their own right. We have some superb singers, dancers and actors here and it's all about giving them the opportunity to show it."

Robbie added: "I'm not the one doing anything out of the ordinary; it's the people running places like this that are doing something special, they are amazing.
It's them that we should have award ceremonies for, not celebrities."

Hanley community
Continuing his tour of the city, next the singer went back to the central area of the city and dropped in on the Townsend Residents Association, a Bucknall based group that provides advice and information sessions, a tots' play area and pensioners' group, as well as clubs for children and teenagers.

After being given a tour of the centre, including the new computer suite that gives locals access to the internet, Robbie said: "With just a little bit of help, places like this and the people that run them, can make a massive difference. Giving kids something to do is dead important for everyone and the whole area benefits. "What's also really important is that people continue to have the confidence to apply for these grants.
If you aren't sure if Give It Sum can help you, have a go anyway!"