A tribute to our volunteer, Martin.

Martin was a larger than life character, well known in the Derby area for his volunteering role in fundraising and supporting our local services. Martin was instrumental in putting out our collection tins in the Derby area which led to us making this a national scheme. He amended the design of the collection tins by drilling holes to better insert the security chain. He was known to many local shops and businesses.

Martin was a big hearted man with boundless energy and being in his eighties was no deterrent to his activities. Within the last year he had fallen out of a tree and broke ribs when he was down a man-hole clearing the drains. He was entirely fearless and intrepid.

Martin had a career in heavy engineering and was well travelled. He was thoughtful and knowledgeable and was a great communicator who could get on with people at all levels. Martin had a strong set of values and beliefs and was dedicated to supporting people in need.

Martin’s relationship with Making Space was both local, with Mary at the Derby office (who he would burden with his coin counting) and Head Office where he rang me at least once a week with another lead for fundraising. He used to call me his ‘boss’ and I wished I could have cloned him.

In late March, Martin phoned Bob, Fundraising Manager to say he was exhibiting some symptoms of the coronavirus and was going into self-isolation (he lived with his sister, Julia). This was going to be a challenge for such an active man and he was reluctant to take time out. I telephoned him during his self-isolation and although he sounded a little rough he was in good spirits.

On Monday the 6 April, Julia rang Mary at the Derby Office to say that Martin had died of a heart attack over the weekend. We have sent cards and flowers to Julia but I am grieving personally for the loss of a friend as well as a great volunteer.

Bob Towers, Fundraising Manager