On 10th April 2004 my father, John Goodfellow, succumbed to a glioblastoma brain tumour. Although my final memories of him are filled with sadness and loss, I prefer to remember him as the funny, wise and kind-hearted man that taught my sister and I to be curious about the world, to never be afraid of being different, and to experience as much as we can about people, places and the world through cinema, art and travel.

All too often the words of honest and good people are lost to time or forgetfulness, but so that I share his view and influence with others I have decided to raise funds for an organisation that works hard to bring entertainment and fun to the people of Newcastle, and I know that if he was alive today we would have many trips together for either a coffee and a chat, a sly pint in the bar or to watch a film in comfortable and relaxed surroundings. 

I am participating in the Great North Run both as a personal challenge and to commemorate the tenth anniversary of my father's death from a disease that took him from the world and the people who loved him far too soon. I also want to give something back in his memory to a local venue that enlightens, entertains and educates (and probably also encourages alliteration!) and is staffed by the most friendly and passionate people I've had the pleasure of meeting. The cinema features heavily in my life as a place to learn, play, relax and laugh, and they deserve as much support as possible so that they can expand and continue their work for many more years. 

"Never be boring" - my Dad :)