Newark: Derry Building Services staff take part in static bike ride for Matt Hampson Foundation

Staff at Derry Building Services in Newark took to static bikes to raise money for charity in memory of a colleague.

Paul Sharman was a design manager at the company from 2003 until his unexpected death on January 26 at age 60.

DBS director Gregg Matthews said losing Paul had been difficult for everyone and that because so many staff were working remotely during covid, there had still not been opportunity to collectively mourn him.

“Paul was very much loved and respected by friends and colleagues, both at Derry’s and within the industry,” said Mr Matthews. “He was a proud family man with a wonderful sense of humour.”

Paul was a big Leicester Tigers rugby fan who had done many charity bike rides.

He had been heavily involved in supporting the design and build of the Get Busy Living Centre, a rehab centre for sporting injuries, in Burrough-on-the-Hill, near Melton Mowbray, for the Matt Hampson Foundation,

“Paul led that process on behalf of DBS and remained close to the Hampson Foundation,” said Mr Matthews: “His family decided to dedicate a tree at the centre in his memory.

“It was decided here to honour his life, love of rugby and his own charity work, and that we would have a static bike ride and raise money for the foundation.

“The original plan was to ride 975 miles, which is the distance between all Premiership Rugby grounds. Because so many people wanted to take part, we ended up doubling that distance and so far we have raised £3,500 in online donations.”

Three static bikes were set up in an initiative led by Lance Dyer and Matt Hallam.

They were ridden in shifts of two hours over five days.

Paul’s family joined representatives of the Matt Hampson Foundation for the final two miles of the challenge on Friday.