The young sons of a firefighter who died after battling a blaze at the former Jenners building in Edinburgh are helping to support people through bereavement.
Barry Martin, 38 , was sent to the fire at the former department store on Princes Street on January 23 2023.
He was one of five firefighters hurt while attending the incident, and died from his injuries in hospital four days later.
The Barry Martin Foundation has since been set up by his family his twin boys, Oliver and Daniel, are developing a project to support young children who have lost a parent or carer, based on their own experiences.
The boys, who are keen writers, came up with “Barry the Brave”, a programme designed to support young children who have lost a parent or carer. They are developing an experience penned by children and led by them and their menagerie of pets.
Barry’s wife and Oliver and Daniel’s mum, Shelley Martin, said: “Oliver and Daniel are full of ideas, hints of support, and tips of guidance, to support their grieving peers. They know what it is like, and through words and pictures, they would like to help other children like them.
“It goes without saying that we are incredibly proud of them both. They are busy working on several initiatives in their father’s memory, and to support children like them.”
A memorial bench unveiled in July, which allowed the public to access online support, has also had such a significant impact that the family now plans to install further benches across Scotland.
The first bench in Barry’s memory was unveiled on July 27, which would have been his 40th birthday. His family hosted an event in Dunfermline to mark the occasion, dubbed “Barry Martin Day”, which raised £1669.08.
It features a QR code, which members of the public can scan, leading them to a website telling the story about the work the Barry Martin Foundation does, with links to mental health and bereavement resources.
As a result, “Barry’s Benches” was born as a not-for-profit community project funded by donations and grants received by the organisation.
Shelley added: “We received so many powerful messages from the public when the first bench was placed, and we realised that Barry’s bench was saving the lives of other people. This drove us to launch this incredible project, and to keep placing benches all over Scotland.
“In 2025, we will travel to various significant parts of Scotland working with councils and private land owners, to identify suitable locations for Barry’s benches.”
So far, Shelley, Oliver and Daniel have made progress on the placement of five benches in just a few months, and expect to at least double the number by the end of 2025.
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