Harley Haddow raises money for charity in remembrance of colleagues

Multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy, Harley Haddow has raised thousands of pounds for charity in poignant memory of two colleagues.

The company has been raising money for two charities in tribute to their colleagues, Tom Barlow and Paul Phillips.

Tom and Paul were based in Harley Haddow’s Manchester office, and played a key part in the success of the founding of the North West office.

With Paul’s love of football, specifically Manchester City and Tom’s admiration for Manchester United, the consultancy is missing the warmth and comradery the pair brought with them.

The Harley Haddow team, who span across the UK, have been coming together to raise money by doing 5843 miles to raise £5843 for the charities. The mileage has been chosen as a special nod to Tom, 58, and Paul’s 43.

They have been accumulating their miles by cycling, walking, running, snowboarding and even skiing, to raise money for both The British Heart Foundation and North West Air Ambulance, which were the chosen charities from Tom and Paul’s families.

To increase funds further, the engineering consultancy hosted a fundraising event last week in Manchester, whilst also organising a raffle event for the chosen charities, with 4-ball prizes donated from a range of prestigious golf clubs.

Setting the miles goal back in April this year, the team has raised more than £7735 so far and are still welcoming donations. 

Ian Chalk, Director at Harley Haddow, said: “It’s fair to say that the year started in a tragic way for our Manchester office with the untimely passing of Tom and Paul.

Harley Haddow has dug deep and tried our best to move forward and to rebuild whilst honouring their memory and making a positive contribution to their families chosen charities.”

He added: “The Miles for Memories goal was set back in April, and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to exceed our target.  The miles walked, ran, swam, skied and more were a great opportunity to get together, but more importantly to raise awareness of the two charities and raising some funds towards the lifesaving work that they both undertake. 

Both Tom and Paul will always have a place in our hearts, and we will continue to fondly remember the all-too-short time that we spent together.”

Hayley Gough, British Heart Foundation Regional Fundraising Manager, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Harley Haddow for this phenomenal fundraising effort in memory of Paul and Tom. It is only with donations raised by committed teams like this that the British Heart Foundation can keep its life saving research going.

These devoted colleagues are helping us turn science fiction into reality. The British Heart Foundation funds ground-breaking research here in Manchester and at universities across the UK that will get us closer than ever to a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases.”

Chris Andrews, Corporate Partnership officer from North West Air Ambulance, said: “We are so grateful to the team at Harley Haddow for choosing to support the North West Air Ambulance Charity.

The money raised in memory of their colleague Paul Phillips is absolutely vital to us. We receive no government or NHS funding, so it is entirely down to our supporters that we’re able to continue bringing the hospital to the patient.

As well as gratitude for their support, I’d also like to extend my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Paul Phillips for their loss earlier this year. You are doing a wonderful thing in Paul’s memory. Thank you.”

Paul joined Harley Haddow in 2022 as a senior mechanical engineer, while Tom joined in 2023 as electrical associate director. In further remembrance, Harley Haddow have dedicated two areas of their office to the pair, these include ‘Phillips Suite’ and ‘Barlow Booth’.