19th January Poole Achievement Awards

The Mayor of Poole, Councillor Mrs Judy Butt, announced the winners of the Poole Achievement Awards for 2007 at a civic reception and awards ceremony on 19 January 2007. The theme for this year’s event was ‘celebrating the volunteer’, recognising people who have given their time and commitment and made a difference to the everyday lives of others.

Judy said: ‘This was a terrific opportunity to celebrate our unsung heroes, all those noble individuals who put in a huge amount of effort and hard work for the good of our Borough and give up their time selflessly for others. It is truly encouraging to see the high standard of the award winners and I would like to congratulate each and every one of them for their unconditional commitment to serving our communities. Nominations are submitted for individuals, organisations, or groups deserving of an award in recognition of their effort, service, dedication or achievement to making Poole a better place in which to live or work and former Second Coxswain John Clark received one of these awards.

John was Second Coxswain of Poole lifeboat and a member of the crew for nearly 20 years. He has volunteered and raised funds at the Old Lifeboat Station and still changes the RNLI flag on the museum. A member of the station boat committee, John is also the founder member of the Poole lifeboat stunt team, which re-enacts rescue scenarios at the lifeboat station open days. For nearly 10 years, John has been the boatman for the Green Island Holiday Trust, taking holidaymakers to the island. He has also taken parties from Dorset Youth Cancer Trust holiday group out in a Sunseeker boat for the children to enjoy a memorable trip out on a luxury yacht.

John was involved with Poole’s Fisherman’s Association for more than five years and has raised money for charities, including local children’s hospitals and Guide Dogs for the Blind. John’s work has touched the hearts of people through the years; he is down-to-earth, with a huge heart, and is always willing to help.