Cheik's mate

It may smack of "Hey, look, over here! Forget about the results and everything else, here's a nice, fluffy, feelgood news item!", but this does at least portray some of our players in a favourable light. Kian Heneghan's story is indeed inspirational - here's hoping it provides more inspiration to the team than the Silver Fox has been able to communicate over recent weeks.

Black, white and ridden all over

Another Saturday, another appalling performance - and against a team supposedly on the same level as us. Still, it could have been worse - you could have cycled the 400 miles from Newcastle to Southampton to witness it. That's precisely what a quartet of fans decided to do (presumably after a few too many in the pub). So spare a thought for the saddle-sore four this evening - and, even better, donate a few quid to the two cancer charities for which they were fundraising, Macmillan and the Robbie Elliott Foundation. If only the team had shared their guts and determination rather than their generosity of spirit...

Rossoneri legends rounded up

Well done to Steve Harper for lining up players of the calibre of Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi and Alessandro Costacurta (not to mention a certain sheet-metal worker's son from Gosforth) for his charity match on 11th September, in aid of the Great North Children's Hospital, Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Newcastle United Foundation. As someone clearly capable of attracting some of the biggest names in world football to Tyneside, perhaps he could give JFK some tips?

Winter in Gateshead

Congratulations to Telegraph journalist Henry Winter, who completed a quick swim across the Tyne on Saturday in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Having previously expressed doubts that Jabba would back the Silver Fox over the long haul, Winter was left with no choice but to honour his bet and swim the Tyne after the announcement of the Silver Fox’s new eight-year contract.

Winter crossed the river in under five minutes and was warmly greeted by an NUFC towel courtesy of the club.

Anyone wishing to donate money in support of the swim can still do so here.

Jog on - and on, and on, and on

With the news currently a torrent of idiocy, inhumanity and mindless selfishness, how pleasing to be able to report on someone who's put himself through personal hell for the benefit of (and in memory of) others.

Congratulations to Toon fan Mark Allison, who's just run 3100 miles right across the US, from sea to shining sea, in 100 days. A phenomenal achievement, and one that's well worth a donation, with all monies raised going to St Benedict's Hospice and the Children's Foundation - for more details see here.

Mark claims to have been an "18st obese Geordie who loved bacon sandwiches, football and pies" - let's hope his passion for Newcastle and the beautiful game remains undiminished, at least, even if his faith in his own sanity doesn't...

Robo-Kammy

Ever wanted to control Chris Kamara with the click of your mouse? Well, now your dream is reality, courtesy of cancer charity Marie Curie.

Whatever next? Clunky, robotic pundits and commentators chuntering through cliches and gibberish? Actually, if that's the future, ITV are ahead of the game...