Gala cinema screening in Welwyn Garden City raises more than £10,000

Stephen Ormrod, Stephen Greenhorn, Georgia Ormrod and Mark Kermode (Image: Archant)

The evening at the Garden City Cinema, Campus West, included a showing of the feel-good hit movie Sunshine on Leith, followed by a Q&A between critic Kermode and screenwriter of the film, Stephen Greenhorn.

The fundraiser, in aid of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, took place at the Hawthorne Theatre complex on Monday night.

Mark Kermode tweets about the gala cinema night in Welwyn Garden City (Image: Archant)

The event was a complete sell-out, with more than 300 people attending.

Each ticket holder received a very special goody bag worth £95, courtesy of Jo Malone MBE.

An auction on the night helped to raise even more money.

Mark Kermode is one of the most recognisable and trusted film critics in the country, reviewing movies for The Observer, BBC News 24 and with a regular film programme on Radio 5 Live alongside Simon Mayo.

His forthright opinions and witty commentary have gained him a legion of fans and, together with Mayo, he created the Wittertainment Code Of Conduct for film audiences – a copy of which has been proudly displayed at the Garden City Cinema since its inception.

He described the gala charity event on Twitter as an “absolutely fantastic evening”.

He tweeted: “Absolutely fantastic evening watching SUNSHINE ON LEITH and interviewing @S_Greenhorn.

“Thanks to the wonderful inspirational Georgia Ormrod!

He also tweeted on Monday: “Thanks to everyone who came to @emctrust benefit tonight.

“What a wonderful evening with great film and great company!”

Stephen Greenhorn also tweeted: “Great night at @GCCinema.

“A treat to chat to @KermodeMovie and meet the amazing Georgia Ormrod.

“Big thanks to @watstorm for the invitation.”