DOCUMENT

A LEGACY S ara Clarke is a big believer in giving back. The loyal Neurological Foundation supporter donates her charitable tax rebate in memory of her precious parents Innes and Doreen Clarke. “My sisters and I inherited money from the sale of our parents' house, so we agreed to make a large donation,” says Sara. As March marks the end of the 2024 financial year, Sara encourages people to claim and donate their 33% rebate. “Giving the tax back to the Foundation feels right. If you’re able to, please consider making even more of a difference.” Sara, along with sisters Helen and Jane, are following in her father’s caring footsteps. “Dad was a giver who volunteered for various community groups throughout his life,” she says. “And both Dad and Mum loved to sing – Dad in choirs and musical shows, and Mum in a barbershop choir. After Mum suffered a stroke in 2008 and lost the ability to move or speak, singing and listening to music was one of the things that Dad and Mum could enjoy together.” The University of Auckland’s CeleBRation Choir – a singing group that helps people with communication difficulties caused by neurological conditions – holds special memories. “Mum was not able to attend but Dad volunteered with the choir for many years.” Doreen lived with devastating side effects for seven years before dying in 2015 and Innes died five years later. With the family being so impacted by stroke, the three sisters decided to support Professor Alan Barber’s life-saving clot retrieval work that started at Auckland Hospital but has expanded to Christchurch and Wellington hospitals. Alan is the Neurological Foundation’s Chair of Clinical Neurology. Thanks to the generosity of Neurological Foundation donors like the Clarke family, around 2000 people have had a second chance at life, with one in five patients returning home as healthy as before. GIVINGBACK INMEMORY OF HERPARENTS “Giving the tax back to the Foundation feels right. If you’re able to, please consider making even more of a difference.” Sara Clarke Sara Clarke, Helen Harbrow and Jane O’Connell Innes and Doreen Clarke Headlines 17