A "heartbroken" man whose brother died in a road accident has kept his legacy going through an initiative supporting grass roots football.
Liam Clark, known as Clarky to his friends, died following a car crash near Birmingham in September 2019. The 21-year-old, who was a talented goalkeeper for North Wirral Saints Football Club, left behind his family, teammates, girlfriend Olivia and their son Rauiri.
Zach Wilmer said Liam first came to live with his family as a foster child when he was around six. Zach, 39, told the ECHO : "It never mattered he wasn't blood - his surname was Clark but he was a Wilmer as soon as he started living with our family. He was always my brother and my parents' son.
READ MORE: Witness will 'never be able to get crash victim' out of her head
"When he was 18 he met his girlfriend Olivia and moved out. Because of his past he always wanted to be a dad - one of his main goals was to be one. His son was only three-months-old when he died. Our whole family was heartbroken when we lost him."
Zach, who had played football with Liam at North Wirral Saints Football Club, told the ECHO how his struggles with Liam's death led him to found Clapforclarky. Originally the social media campaign was to ensure Anfield came together and applauded the memory of Liverpool-mad Liam.
Zach, who lives in New Brighton, said: "I struggled with the bereavement and have struggled in the past with my own mental health issues. I started the campaign as it was something to keep myself going. It gave me a purpose."
After contacting both the club and a number of ex-players including Robbie Fowler, the campaign reached its goal when the whole stadium applauded on the 21st minute during LFC's match v Red Bull Salzburg in 2019.
Zach said when the campaign reached its goal they did not know where to go next. But he added he felt he had the framework and social media presence to start supporting those in the grass roots football community. Clapforclarky has used its platform to support a number of campaigns in north Wirral, including raising awareness around blood donations and helping women get into grass roots football coaching.
Most recently Zach helped organise a donation to Fans Supporting Foodbanks - a football fan-driven initiative founded in 2015 tackling food poverty. Zach told the ECHO the campaign was supported by former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, who put on a masterclass with North Wirral Saints' players as a thank you for their support.
The donation, which met before Christmas, collected 80 bags in around three weeks. Zach told the ECHO he wants to turn the campaign into a charity or foundation to continue to support his community and make it a better place.
He added: "It's a pride and a privilege to continue the campaign in Liam's name. It's my way of ensuring his legacy is continued to give his son Rauiri a picture of his dad when he is grown up.
"Liam's character was so loving and caring. I've got a fire in my belly to continue to help my community in the same way."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here .
READ NEXT:
Son, 21, shot dead as he got Christmas presents out of his car
Addison's disease symptoms as Liverpool coach Jay Spearing's body 'shuts down'
Third person arrested over murder of Elle Edwards as two remain in custody
Encro hack hits heavy drug gangs rooted in Croxteth, Huyton and West Derby
Talented teenager bounced back from drink, drugs, tragedy and abuse
