Avid collector's treasured trainers go on show

An exhibition of "rare and iconic" footwear has been launched in memory of an avid collector of trainers who died from cancer.

Nick Carr, 53, who was born in Sheffield and lived in Dronfield, died from T-cell lymphoma in April last year.

During his life he amassed a collection of about 1,500 pairs of trainers and many of those have been put on show at Meadowhall Shopping Centre to help raise funds for the Weston Park Cancer Charity.

Mr Carr's wife, Jayne, said: "I've cried my eyes out. It's a homage to him and he'd be so proud we're showcasing his passion. He's left a complete legacy."

Mrs Carr said her husband had started collecting streetwear when he was 19 years old.

She said her favourites were a pair of personalised trainers with her husband's name on them, which family friend Simon Dixon had ordered for him as a gift.

"They were his pride and joy - they won't be going anywhere," Mrs Carr said.

Mr and Mrs Carr's son, Edward Caval, said the family had counted about 1,500 pairs of shoes after his death.

Mr Carr would wear "the same ones over and over again, and not necessarily the nice ones", Mr Caval said.

Mr Caval said that since his father's death, he had set up the NJJC Collective, a digital archive of his father's collection.

He said it made him feel "more connected" to his father and helped him to process his grief.

Some pairs of trainers were so rare that they were were worth up to £1,000, and some pairs were one of a kind, according to Mr Caval.

Darren Pearce, centre director at Meadowhall, said: "We're honoured to be hosting this powerful tribute to Nick, a truly inspiring man whose passion for sneaker culture and community has touched so many people."

Melissa Erwin, fundraising manager at Weston Park Cancer Charity, said: "We're so grateful to Meadowhall and the NJJC Collective for choosing to support Weston Park Cancer Charity through such a creative and uplifting event.

"Every donation will help us continue to provide vital care to people affected by cancer across our region, and we can't wait to see the collection come to life."

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