A team of employees from Fairfield Control Systems, Mackenzie Construction, Scottish Canals & AECOM are cycling from Glasgow to Edinburgh in memory of their beloved late colleague, Nick Leeming, to raise funds for Sheffield Hospitals Charity. 

Nick, who was a Project Engineer for Fairfields, sadly passed away in February 2021 from COVID-19. A Rotherham man, Nick underwent a kidney transplant at the Northern General Hospital in 2014 and although he lost his final battle against COVID, it has not affected the love and memories that his colleagues and friends have of him. 

So much so that his colleagues wanted to do something in Nick’s memory and to raise funds for causes close to Nick’s heart: Sheffield Hospitals Charity and the Sorby Renal Unit. 

Nick’s career saw him take on a number of significant projects, but one that he particularly contributed to was Fairfields’ Scottish Canals project and so his colleagues have decided to cycle from Glasgow to Edinburgh along the canal towpaths, passing many of the locations that Nick project managed. 

But more important than the professional impact that Nick made on his colleagues was the personal impact. He is remembered as dedicated, intelligent, tenacious, opinionated, tough, a softie, caring and loveable. His commitment to everything that he did, his passion for his family, his tenacious approach to getting his much-loved Vectra up and running, his tea making skills and his huge personality will live with his colleagues forever. 

Which is why as many as 29 of them have decided to take on this challenge. One of them, Michael Doney, Managing Director at Fairfields Control Systems, remembers Nick particularly fondly: “I’ve known Nick for many years and was fortunate enough to work with him as he project led on some of our largest projects. His eye to detail was remarkable and he was fantastic at what he did. 

“But far above that was Nick as a person. It is very rare that somebody has such an enormous impact on so many people and everybody who knew Nick has special memories of him – something which is encapsulated by the fact that we are all taking on this challenge. 

“It will be an honour to cycle to raise money in Nick’s memory and for such important charities that were so close to Nick’s heart. He was a gentle man, a great colleague, a great friend and a true gentleman – so we would be delighted if you could support our challenge.” 

Nick’s colleagues are raising funds via Go Fund Me. If you want to donate, you can go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nick-leeming-in-memory?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

Ben Green, PR & Communications Manager at Sheffield Hospitals Charity, said: "Hearing about everybody’s memories and stories of Nick has been amazing because it immediately comes across what a special man he must have been.

“For so many of his colleagues to feel so moved to take on a challenge like this is remarkable and we are thrilled that Nick’s legacy will be to help so many patients and staff at the renal unit at the Northern General Hospital. 

“If you can get behind the Fairfields challenge, then please do. And if you want to take part in your own similar challenge, please get in touch at [email protected]”