Clive Sanderson, known around Sheffield as Tibbi, passed away on February 13 at the Northern General Hospital at the age of 54, not long after being told his brain cancer had spread to his lungs. Tibbi was a Rastafarian from Pitsmoor who had worked closely with many young people around Sheffield, as a youth worker, teaching assistant and a supply teacher.
His youngest of six children Cenya Sanderson 20, is a politics and international relations student at Newcastle University, has now launched a GoFundMe page to place a bench and plaque in his name for everyone to remember Tibbi, “a father and a beloved friend to many”.
The fundraiser which was started a few days ago has already reached its target, which means the memorial will be placed on the Ellesmere green in Pitsmoor, an area that Tibbi visited often.
Sohail Khan 31 is a former student who is now a youth worker has fond memories of Tibbi, who worked “tirelessly to inspire the youth and show youngsters that there is another way”.
Khan said: “When I was a teen, I was troubled but there are a few people that I can say genuinely wanted to help me do well and Tibbi was one of the main people, a proper diamond and yo I’ll never forget that”.
Cenya said: “I can remember when I was younger, walking around with my dad and just seeing how many people who would show love and respect, just showed how many people’s lives he had touched in a positive way”.
Tibbi faced many trials and tribulations throughout his life, the most difficult of which was the tragic passing of his eldest son Josiah Sanderson a 28-year-old father of three, drowned whilst trying to save his younger brothers life in Gambia during a family holiday.
She said, “he’s has always been a fighter, but his heart was completely broken after Josiah’s death, but towards the end of 2022 he made the intention to go back into teaching”.
Tibbi’s Funeral will be held at the Hope Centre on Bernard Road on Monday, March 20 at 12pm.