The honorary Freedom of the Borough of Douglas has been conferred on Geoff Karran MBE.
The honour was bestowed on Mr Karran at a special meeting of Douglas Borough Council on Friday September 14th when members voted unanimously to award Mr Karran the accolade in recognition of his tireless dedication to charitable causes and support of Manx sporting endeavour by all ages and all abilities, and his contribution to raising the international profile of the Isle of Man.
In his proposer’s speech Council Leader David Christian said Mr Karran epitomised service to the community and had helped make ‘a very real difference to people’s lives, in particular those less able.’ He went on to say that Mr Karran, ‘a staunchly proud Manxman’, had devoted his life while working as one of the Island’s leading advocates and in retirement to encouraging individuals, in particular the young and those with disabilities, to reach their full potential. He also praised Mr Karran for promoting the Isle of Man at every opportunity and for his outstanding contribution as chairman of the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games organising committee. In closing he said: ‘The Borough of Douglas – and indeed the Isle of Man – is a better place for having Geoff Karran as one of its leading citizens and, from this day forward, as one of its honorary freemen.’
Seconding Councillor’s Christian’s remarks was Councillor John Skinner who had known Mr Karran from their school days together at Murray’s Road. He said that Mr Karran’s ‘relentless enthusiasm, commitment and dogged refusal to accept no for an answer’ had distinguished his professional career and his work to help and encourage others, ‘not only those destined for great things, but also those for whom more modest triumphs represent a major achievement.’ He concluded by describing Mr Karran as a man with ‘an unshakeable belief that optimism will always defeat despair’ and one who turned ‘passion into action’.
In his reply Mr Karran said that Douglas, the town of his birth, had always played ‘a very significant’ part in his life, the place where he had spent his 44 years as an advocate. He attributed his success in business and in his charitable efforts to team work, in particular to ‘team Karran’, his supportive family. He thanked Councillors Christian and Skinner for their kind words and concluded by saying that becoming an honorary Freeman of the Borough of Douglas was ‘the proudest day of my life’.
To mark the occasion Douglas Mayor David Ashford, on behalf of the Council, presented Mr Karran with an illuminated address designed and created by Colleen Corlett. The border features Celtic interlacing with images and logos depicting the many organisations with which Mr Karran is associated. Among the design elements are Mr Karran’s MBE, awarded for services to sport and the disabled, and the symbols of the 14th Commonwealth Youth Games, Isle of Man Sports Council, Isle of Man Law Society and Manchester City football club, of which he is an ardent supporter.
Photo caption - Geoff Karran receives the illuminated address marking his receipt of the award of the honorary freedom of the Borough of Douglas from Douglas Mayor David Ashford. Picture Andrew Barton.
