Dad launches business in memory of daughter born premature

Richard Dunn and his partner Nicole Constantine went through something no parent should have to endure, the death of a child.

Their daughter Luna was born premature in March, but died after just eight days following transfers between multiple hospitals.

Although it has been difficult, Richard wanted to ensure some good came of the situation and decided to launch his own sustainable shoe cleaning business, Tricky Treads.

“Every day is a battle,” he said.

“What we went through is unexplainable but I’m trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel and not let it break us.

“I want to get up everyday and do something, I couldn’t go back to my old life, it had changed me as a person.

“I am trying to turn it into something positive, life is too short and this is my passion, so I am just going to go and do it.

“I’m doing it for Luna, this is in her memory.”

Tricky Treads officially launched at Winsford Industrial Estate this month (Image: Richard Dunn)

Richard and his partner have suffered with their mental health since Luna’s death, both taking prolonged periods of time off work.

It was during this time that he came up with the idea for his business, which is now up and running at Winsford Industrial Estate.

He added: “I have never had any mental health issues, I was one of these guys who would say ‘just suck it up’, but this event has been traumatic to say the least.

“It is very difficult as a parent and something I never thought I would have to go through.

“The child sickness part of life is something not many people see, and I wouldn’t want them to.

“Being in the neonatal intensive care unit is something I will ever forget, the image is burned into me.

“Our baby should be at home with us now.”

Richard, 36 and living in Sandbach, previously worked as an operations manager at Bentley Motors.

He said it was the company’s push to becoming more sustainable that inspired his new business.

“While I have been off I have been doing some research into the footwear industry and I was shocked by some of the statistics,” Richard said.

“Around 22 billion shoes go to landfill every year, with 149 million of these from the UK.

“But people don’t want to chuck their shoes away anymore, partly due to the expense but also because they are realising the impact on the environment.

“Tricky Treads is much more than just cleaning up trainers and there’s nobody else doing anything like it.”

Richard and his partner Nicole with their two-year-old daughter Lyla (Image: Richard Dunn)

Richard is sponsoring Sandbach RUFC for the upcoming season and is going to host demonstrations at the National Running Show in Birmingham next year.

He is also hoping to work with schools in Winsford to provide affordable sportswear for children in need, by restoring trainers that would otherwise end up in landfill.

He explained that he uses specialist, eco-friendly, equipment to clean the shoes and has partnered with DPD to offer his services nationwide.

On whether he was nervous about making the jump to running an independent business, Richard said: “Terrified, I still am.

“I always knew I would have my own business but I was so focused on my professional career, that was all I had time for.

“Going through this dramatic life event has given me the time to reflect on what is really important. You have got to do what you believe in.

“I know this is going to work. I have big visions and I know that if I keep pushing they will come true.”

Tricky Treads officially launched this month and more information can be found at www.trickytreads.co.uk or by searching @TrickyTreads on Facebook or Instagram.