A MUCH-LOVED motorcyclist killed in a freak accident is still inspiring people – three years after he died.
Nathan Clarke, 27, known fondly as Nafe, of Chester Road, Winsford, saved the lives of two young men through organ donation.
A special sculpture called Beyond Ithaka has been created by artist Robin Wright to provide a place of reflection for families who lost loved ones.
Nathan’s parents Leslie and Colin and 17 relatives and friends were among special guests invited to the unveiling ceremony at Trentham Gardens in Stoke-on-Trent.
The sculpture represents a mythical nymph in the trees and materialises as a beautiful woman.
In Greek mythology, Ithaka is the homeland of Odysseus and is known as a place of peace and calm.
“It was emotional,” said Leslie. “It made me cry, it is such a lovely thing. It took my breath away.
“I felt honoured to be invited with our family and friends.
“It was a very special day.”
The Mother Nature figure forms a heart shape to resemble the organ donation logo and features 400 hand beaten copper coloured metal leaves.
Leslie said: “The sun was shining and because the sculpture is made of steel, she was glinting in the sun. We saw it in all its glory.
“It is a beautiful sign of hope, new life to others.
“Nafe had a donor card from the age of eight so we knew his wishes.
“I would urge everyone to have that conversation with your loved ones.
“Nafe really does live on. Both his kidneys were donated to young men in their 30s.
“We are so proud that from this heartbreaking tragedy some good has come out of it.
“Nafe was selfless in life and also in death.”
Nafe was thrown off his bike in a collision with a car on the A54 Chester Lane and suffered catastrophic brain injuries when he hit a wooden gate at 11am on Saturday, February 23, 2019.
The gifted musician, who played guitar and drums, was taken to the Royal Stoke Hospital where he lost his fight for life the following day.
A warehouse manager at Johnsons Removals, Nafe was also a qualified doorman, working at venues across Cheshire, including Madison’s in Northwich.
Earlier, he worked as a bar man at De Bees in Winsford.
Specialist nurses from NHS Blood and Transplant at University Hospitals of North Midlands continue to support families who have donated organs.
In May 2020, the law in England was changed to an ‘opt out’ system where a person has to state if they do not wish to donate their organs.
Kirsty Lazenby, specialist nurse organ donation and transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We think this sculpture will provide a beautiful and dignified place for people to remember loved ones.
“We also want to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.
“Since April 2021, more than 3,000 people nationally have received a transplant.
This really highlights the need for people to sign up.”
Rebecca Journet, specialist nurse for organ donation, said: “Before the law changed, lots of families were struggling to make the decision because they didn’t know what their loved ones wanted but we can now confidently assume that people who have passed away supported the process, unless they informed us otherwise.
“This has made things much easier for families and clinicians.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here