My name is Ben Goodwin. Cliff was my dad, who passed away suddenly on Monday. He leaves behind his wife of 22 years, his children, and a 9-year-old daughter who requires significant support in daily life.

I’m raising funds today to help take some of the financial pressure off my stepmum, Katrina, who, after 30 years with my dad, suddenly lost the love of her life out of the blue on a Bank Holiday that had started like any other — before our hearts were ripped apart in an instant.

My dad helped everyone, any way he could. In the end, he carried too much for too many people, taking on the stress and worries of others. At just 53 years old, he left this world to be with his dad and my brothers.

What can I say about my dad, other than that he was a true people pleaser? If someone needed help and he was able to give it, he would always be the first person there, no matter the cost to himself or his own time.

I’m raising funds today to help pay towards the service he truly deserves, and to ease the financial burden on a woman who has lost her partner, her best friend, and a husband who would have run through fire for her every single time.

If you knew my dad, you’d know he would usually be driving around in his Elgrand, travelling up and down the country to shows, serving his trademark “dirty” burgers to a community he loved and cherished. He was only planning a meet-up for next month.

Or he would be working on his boat, trying to finally get it back into the water.

This is a devastating loss for me and my family, and we will never truly come to terms with the suddenness of it or the heartbreak we are feeling.

I’m doing what I can to help take some of the financial pressure away from Katrina, Jake, Brett, Sam, and Kara — because grief on its own is already unbearable without the added weight of financial worry.

My dad spent the last 18 months living in an emergency housing caravan after the family home of more than 20 years was taken away from them. They had finally been given a date to move into their forever home. Sadly, he will never get to see it.

All the stress, tears, and effort he carried to make that happen for his family will finally pay off. Any funds raised beyond the funeral costs will go towards furniture and decorating Katrina, Brett, and Kara’s forever home.

If you can help in any way, please do.

Elvis has left the building.