NOMINATOR

NOMINEE

• Background and Extent of fundraising undertaken: Larry volunteered to raise funds for our charity.  He is a past winner of stages in Ras cycling Ireland 1971 & '73. By organising cycles of approximately 50km upwards he has continuously raised money by cycling the distances and collecting along the routes.   He is presently going to cycle in Sweden in September to raise further funds for our charity which is depending mainly on such ventures at the moment.  Larry humbly offers to cycle and raise funds in the most unassuming manner.   He is extraordinarily gentlemanly and social minded.   Larry has raised thousands for charities from cancer to dogs for the blind and more.   He does everything with grace and pure consideration for the work we do for young people in drug counseling and prevention.   He gets pleasure from supporting the work and he does not expect accolades.    His wife tirelessly supports Larry in the background by putting up with all our queries.

• Distinctiveness of the effort: His interest, care, social mindedness and fundraising efforts has helped us as a charity to learn that others do care.   Those on our programmes often have felt extreme neglect in their lives and Larry shows them that there are people who can be trusted and their lives are important.  As he expects no payment they can see he just wants them to be well and he believes they can be.   The funds raised have supported training programmes for prevention training for parents and early intervention strategies for young people at risk.   Without the funds he raised some of those programmes would not take place.   The money he raised is a necessity for sustaining those services and is not an extra above our budget.  It plays a big role in our service provision.

• Longevity: Larry has involved himself over approximately 4 - 5 years in a variety of ways.   Sometimes by including our members in his cycling events which involves meeting with other members of Navan Cycling Club.   Other times it is to call and ask how we are getting on and how are our funds.   His efforts are covered by the media and his reputation for getting funds due to the trust and care he administers is renowned.

• Innovation: As founder and director of this award winning national charity in the field of drug/alcohol abuse and prevention, I thought I knew all that needed to be done but watching how Larry involves others through his gentlemanly, unassuming and persuasive manner has been an amusing education for me and those in the charity generally.  Initially we felt we had 'hooked' a fundraiser only to find the hook went both ways and now I am cycling long distances in Larry's groups and some of our people in recovery are also involving themselves in this most rewarding and healthy pursuit.  Through his cycling and fellow cyclists he has broadened the network of supporters and friends for our charity, raised our profile, stamped out many prejudices and raised funds for services and roped all of us into his other fundraising activities as well.  His selfless giving adds a sprinkle of fairy dust to every event and it is necessary to keep your eye on the ball to know when he is going to start the next fundraiser regardless of who it is for because for sure you will be helping before you know it and what's more enjoying what is normally an onerous task for most of us.    Innovation - yes that sums up Larry Clarke.  He's got me hooked anyway.

• Leading by example: He has never been formally recognised for his work other than our meagre attempts to thank him.   He is an inspiration to all those he raises funds for, staff members and the wider community who can only learn from his example.   He never sees the impossible just the possible which matches our own beliefs.   His consideration for those in need is inspiring and humbling.    Larry has cycled many thousands of kilometres using what he knows best to help others have a better life.   Many others have become involved in helping with out work having watched Larry's efforts to support us and knowing that if he thinks it's worthwhile then it is.  We cannot put a price on what his involvement has meant.