Barry Donovan MBE Awarded Rotary's Highest Honour

The 'Paul Harris Fellowship' is Rotary's highest honour and has just been awarded to Barry Donovan MBE. The Rotary Club of Colchester Forum only makes this award to those who have given outstanding service to the community or to Rotary. During the Club's 36 year history only 12 people have received the award, the first, in 1991, to the late Denzil Green, founder of Acorn Village. Paul Harris was the founder of the rotary movement.

Barry Donovan, a member of the Rotary Club, has worked tirelessly for the benefit of others and especially for children. His enormous contribution to society includes, being a prison visitor; (whilst doing that he organised a prison football team (for pretty obvious reasons all their matches were played at home!); Past President of the Cantenians- a charitable organisation; Treasurer of St Helena hospice for a dozen years; Catholic marriage guidance counsellor; member of Scope - helping people with bereavement problems; Treasurer and trustee of magic moments, giving very sick children the holiday of a lifetime; Governor of Cornard Upper School; Governor of St Benedict's College; Clic Sargent fundraiser; Treasurer of local scout group; involvement with North East Essex Buildings Preservation Trust; President of a charity linked to bowls; and work with the North East Essex Catholic Schools Millennium Trust to support schools in South Africa;

Additionally he has organised and taken part in, numerous walks and cycle rides for various charities. In fact when he received his MBE it was then estimated that he had been involved in raising more than a million pounds for various good causes. In making the award, President Ivan Stedman of the Rotary Club of Colchester Forum said "It is a privilege to bestow this honour on such a deserving person who selflessly serves others".