Irvin Roy Campbell

Nomination for Irvin Campbell for SPECIAL RECOGNITION 2017Irvin Campbell, an ex-user of SARI and a member of the Board of Trustees since 1998, has devoted himself to altruistic pursuits selflessly living his life in the service of others.

Irvin Campbell, an ex-user of SARI and a member of the Board of Trustees since 1998, has devoted himself to altruistic pursuits selflessly living his life in the service of others.

As a Black Caribbean man, he went through many challenges and adversities, including racism and discrimination but instead of giving in and accepting societal injustice he now stands up, defending the vulnerable who faces similar difficulties. He has an in depth understanding of racism and its implications.

We have nominated this individual as his incredible contribution to the community has been largely overlooked, we now seek to give him a fraction of the recognition he deserves.

Using sports as a major tool in his passion, Irvin has helped young people off the streets through mentoring, giving them a role model, structure and solidarity in their lives.

Irvin drew upon his extensive sporting background as a football referee and as a former football coach and manager.  

Irvin channelled his experience in a most admirable way, by forming teams out of the people he has helped. This was an emphatic success and has led to three members playing for Bristol City FC.

Continuing with the theme of sports Irvin was the first Olympic Wrestling Coach in the country to take Wrestling into the schools and make it into a nationwide programme, he made Downend School a centre of excellence for Olympic Wrestling and managed the largest female squad of women wrestlers outside of London.

 For three years he was the National coach and manager to the England Women Wrestling squad which travelled all over Europe competing, producing one European champion and three British champions.

These achievements were done single-handedly and with no recompense, Irvin did what he did without the expectation of reward.

He never flaunts or boasts about his achievements, his humility, many agree is one of his most charismatic qualities and his open and down to earth character means he is well loved by his family, friends and the people who live he was involved with. Irvin recalls that his participation, current and historically has provided him with considerable joy and fulfilment.

An innately generous and modest man, Irvin went, and still goes above and beyond to provide opportunities to the most disenfranchised in our community, he does this despite working as a self-employed builder whilst maintaining his other responsibilities as a mentor, voluntary Board member for SARI and doting family man to his four grandchildren.

Ever aware and proactive in his endeavours Irvin is still an active member in the community mentoring young children and representing SARI as an involved and deeply integrated member of our Board.

All of this is a testament to Irvin’s continuous and seemingly endless ardour for his community and dedication to bring about palpable community amelioration within Bristol.

To say this man is passionate about what he does is a gross understatement to his achievements, Irvin is a philanthropist and champion for what we strive to embody in the community.

Irvin’s acknowledgement for his accomplishments is long overdue and he has done more than his part for making Bristol an all-around brighter and better place.