Memorial service for '˜inspirational' young man who died in crash

A memorial service will be held for a '˜charismatic' and '˜inspirational' young man who died in a crash last month.
Paddy graduating from Sheffield with a 2:1 in Mechanical Engineering with girlfriend Rebecca Marsh.Paddy graduating from Sheffield with a 2:1 in Mechanical Engineering with girlfriend Rebecca Marsh.
Paddy graduating from Sheffield with a 2:1 in Mechanical Engineering with girlfriend Rebecca Marsh.

Paddy Crawford Clarke was in a collision on the Shoreham Road between his home in Henfield and Small Dole, on December 10.

Police said the 22-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after his car ended up on its roof .

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His mother Karen Crawford Clarke, who works as a doctor in Henfield, said: “We have had a tsunami of support from our friends and family and people in the village.

Paddy Crawford ClarkePaddy Crawford Clarke
Paddy Crawford Clarke

“Our charismatic and inspirational son, gave us 22 years of joy, love and non-stop activity.

“From the moment he was born he was full of energy and high spirits, and needed to be constantly active and doing things, whether it was building a go-kart, building a tree house with his dad, or playing games.

“Every holiday had to be action packed which means that we have loads of fun and exciting memories from which to draw strength.”

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Paddy, a former pupil at the College of Richard Collyer, graduated from Sheffield University with a 2:1 in Mechanical Engineering before getting a job at Ricardo’s Technical Centre in Shoreham.

He spent time volunteering at 1st Henfield scouts and was also a keen kite-surfer.

He enjoyed many other sports including skiing, climbing and squash, which he taught at schools with his mother.

Paddy attended Hurstpierpoint College and a memorial service will be held in the college’s chapel on Saturday, January 30.

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Dr Crawford Clarke said: “We are calling it ‘Blow the roof off for Paddy’. It’s a celebration of his life.

“He loved his music and he loved his kite-surfing and the church is going to be decorated with kites.”

There will also be music from the Patcham Silver Youth Band, in which Paddy used to play, as well as performances from his trumpet teachers and Dr Crawford Clarke herself who will be singing with a few friends.

She added: “Paddy’s death is a devastating and tragic loss to us all, but we are left with a powerful sense of the love we all shared and a fun and can-do attitude to life.

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“We feel Paddy’s presence with every positive step we take.”

The service is open to anyone who knew Paddy or his family and starts at 2.30pm.

A justgiving page has also been set up in his memory.

The collection is raising money for the Hassocks-based Children’s Country Holidays Fund (CCHF) All About Kids, a charity which provides adventure holiday breaks for disadvantaged children.

Dr Crawford Clarke said: “We tried to find a charity that would be really fitting for Paddy.

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“He was always very active and loved getting people together to do some exciting things.

“It’s a charity that ticks all the boxes and one that Paddy would want.”

Ricardo has donated £7,000 to the cause and at the time this paper went to press more than £13,000 had been raised.

To donate to visit www.justgiving.com/Karen-Crawford-Clarke1/2

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