The family of a young mechanic who was tragically killed in a motorcycling accident recently have rallied together to make sure that his name and family business live on.
30-year-old Lee Gibson from Jarrow came off his motor cycle on the A66 in Cumbria on his way to an Isle of Man TT race meeting when a freak gust of wind caught him and his bike resulting in the tragic loss of life.
Now, just a few weeks later, his devoted family have come together to ensure that Lee’s partner of 14 years Elaine Rea and their three-year-old son Smith have a future by taking over Lee’s business interests.
Motoring enthusiast Lee built up his reputation and his own garage business from scratch – LG MOT in Boldon, South Tyneside and the new family and friends management team are in place to keep his name alive and to ensure that they keep Lee’s garage providing an income for Elaine and Smith as well as Lee’s loyal members of staff in employment.
The unusual consortium consists of Lee’s father Alan Gibson who is managing the business, Lee’s mechanic friend Mark Dalby and Elaine’s step father, Trevor Rutherford who is himself no stranger to tragedy.
Although now a very successful sports therapist, at just 16 Trevor was diagnosed with bone cancer in his right leg and was told that he had to either have his leg amputated and have a prosthetic leg fitted or face dire consequences.
As an active sportsman, the decision to lose a leg wasn’t easy but since then, Trevor has put all of his energy, commitment and dedication into helping others succeed in the sports world. He now offers consultancy sessions at his own practice, the Health 1st Gym based at the Tyneside Badminton Centre in Slatyford, Newcastle.
That same dedication and energy is now being demonstrated by all three new business directors who have taken over LG MOT.
“Our options were very limited,” said Trevor. “We either did it or we closed the business down resulting in an uncertain future for Elaine and Smith and the loss of jobs for Lee’s team of Steve, Khyran, James and Jamie. It’s not what Lee would have wanted.” “Lee worked long and hard hours to build the business, his idea and dream of it becoming a successful garage with a respectful reputation will remain.”
The new team are doing what they know best – Alan is working on the customer service side of the garage. Mark Dalby is now head mechanic and Trevor is looking after the administration. As the business grows, they hope to be able to employ more people to ensure that it remains a success.
Khyran Finnerty from Jarrow who started with Lee as an apprentice mechanic said:
“It’s amazing what the family and friends are doing, Alan has come out of retirement and Trevor is already running a successful business. We’re all focused on it being business as usual for our customers and I’m sure Lee would be very proud of us all.”
Apart from the business, one of Lee’s legacies was the Subaru Impreza car that he built up from scratch and featured in a specialist magazine.
“Lee loved that car and put so much effort into making it the best that he could,” said dad Alan. “Mark, Trevor and I are going to do the same for his business and make him and his family proud.”