Inspiration is Infectious

On Monday 16th February, my close friend and mentor, Professor Nicola Fear CBE died. She died in her mid fifties, leaving behind a devoted husband, and two young adults missing their much loved Mum.

Nicola was one of the most influential military epidemiologists of her generation. Her work shaped public health policy and transformed how we understand the health of serving personnel, veterans and particularly their families. But more than that, she built people. Generations of researchers lead today because she quietly insisted they could.

Before she died, she asked that we establish an Occupational Epidemiology Fellowship through The Colt Foundation — giving an early-career researcher protected time to think, learn and do meaningful work. Click to read more about the important work the Colt do.

To establish the Fellowship, we need to raise £150,000.

In March, I will walk the Camino Francés, to this end — nearly 800km across northern Spain — in couture, obviously, much to Nic’s delight.

I have two knee replacements and a long history of ambitious plans paired with minimal preparation. Nicola would have trained properly and packed lightly. I will limp, complain, possibly drink unreasonable amounts of Albariño — but finish it I will.

I am walking for Nicola.

Because I cannot repay what she gave me. But we can build something in her name.

Small donations matter. Large donations matter. Every donation matters.

If you are able to give, thank you. If you can share this page with those who know and loved her, thank you.

Help me turn love into legacy.

Amy

Follow the journey: https://www.instagram.com/camino4nic/