John Godwin is using his passion to help young people make a difference by giving those who need a hand up the confidence and self-belief that they are in charge of their lives and can be inspired to live a brighter future and in turn inspire others to do the same.
Godwin founded Fair Go Australia Foundation in 2009 and continues to drive the newly named ‘Inspiring Brighter Futures’ Foundation as CEO.
Onwards & Upwards is the flagship self-development program from the Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation created to support young people and adults in need. A similar program being run in Queensland called Onwards & Upwards to a Job is helping long-term unemployed get into the workforce.
Former lawyer, 40-year-old Tim Franklin has been a key figure in helping Godwin and his team create the programs. Franklin’s own life journey in turning his life around and achieving an active and healthy lifestyle has seen him embark on an incredible feat – to run the world to Inspire Brighter Futures.
The 26,232-kilometre journey around the world from Brisbane back to Brisbane commenced in December 2022 and will soon reach its conclusion as Franklin is now back running in Australia. After reaching 500 days of running this week, he will arrive in Adelaide, before running into Melbourne and Sydney ahead of an anticipated arrival home in Brisbane in late June.
Franklin’s journey to date has covered 19 countries, across four continents as he averages around 50 kilometres per day, surviving four floods, one tornado, and three times being hit by a car.
Godwin first met Franklin as his teacher in Year 7 and cross-country coach from Year 5, at Villanova College in Brisbane where in addition to being a classroom teacher, Godwin was Franklin’s cross country and 800-metre coach in athletics.
The two have long remained in contact, with Franklin becoming an Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation facilitator and ambassador and being integral in the development of the programs.
Godwin and Rob Siganto, who, along with his wife Jenny and the Siganto family have been long-term supporters of IBFF, have joined Franklin in providing support on his South Australian leg, assisting with driving, feeding, washing, encouraging, and providing general support.
Former teacher and company executive Godwin, who has run 13 half-marathons and one full marathon himself is also doing some running of his own to keep Franklin company, covering up to 10 kilometres a day for two weeks.
“Tim said that he would complete the challenge, and he is doing it – to inspire brighter futures for as many people who will listen,” Godwin said.
“Tim’s tenacity to overcome his physical challenges is inspiring and using his gift of courage, determination, and willpower to achieve what many would consider to be an impossible feat.”
Tim Franklin as an Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation ambassador is raising greatly valued funds for the Foundation to deliver its highly successful programs throughout Australia – in regional, remote, and metropolitan areas to young people who are disengaged, and at risk of dropping out of school and the community.
“Tim and I also want to share the story with corporate Australia so that they can take the lead and support at-risk young people who need a hand up and be taught how to fish and create a brighter and sustainable future for themselves,” Godwin said.
Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation (previously known as Fair Go Australia Foundation) is a non-profit organisation offering wellbeing mentoring programs to disadvantaged people. The foundation was established in 2009 by a group of educators and business people determined to help those in the community who need it most.
For more information:
Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation: inspiringbrighterfutures.com
Tim Runs The World: timrunstheworld.com