My name is Kathryn Sandilands and a decade ago my husband David and I met this incredible musician at an opening of a friend’s business. His music touched our souls and we became friends following his career. His music is the soundtrack to our life!
His beautiful wife Tara has been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer that has metastases to her bones over the last three weeks very unexpectedly. They have three children and Martin was supposed to be setting off on a European tour.
Tara has done so much for the community over the years working 15 years as a child welfare lawyer , writing two published novels , and creating incredible uplifting events such as the Pride and Prejudice Ball, Dungeons and Dragons in a castle (where you go and play in an actual castle!), and the Festival of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which have brought thousands of people together for imagination, friendship and fun.
She is the mom you always dreamed of, the house in the community where Harry Potter is always just around the corner and at halloween there is an actual wardrobe where you can exit out the back into a Narnian adventure. She is just an incredible person. Magical.
Her story is here in this link. https://docs.google.com/document/d/18-zUO4rfnyD25QeKWMHwjJVEfQr3exf5VeskREfkaCU/edit?tab=t.0
Updates are available on this link: https://forms.gle/P2Y8quFqMkV8E4kT8
And if you have more time than money and just want to help there is a Google link for that too:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzPtNRx-EOF3ruPModhBR3LpOdpAN8rshcX0x_wC-Mjxd9QA/viewform?fbclid=IwVERDUANXTSBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHg4r5f7oJ7cQUfIfNfeRtNqXDMp9fPqn7cVcCK0m4UmlIQvscVw4ji-CySub_aem_XPcjnKLIvgkCZKsj7qIPvw
Their lives have been shifted on their axis. And they need love, help and support. When you are a musician there isn’t a health plan or paid leave. No safety net in times like these.
During Covid, Martin lifted our spirits doing backyard concerts. We were all struggling and he found a way to make us laugh and dance and bring us together across the city. They have supported families emigrating from war torn nations, and he spreads his message of love and change in his music.
Please consider giving what you can to this family to help them pay their bills and allow them the time they need to focus on Tara’s recovery.
They didn’t feel like they could do one on their own because they felt there are many families in worse shape. My feeling is suffering cannot be compared. When it’s our person, it’s unbearable.
No matter how big or small your contribution, please end with sharing this wherever you can. I know Martin has touched millions of people and perhaps through this small kindness we can remind them of all the love that surrounds them.
Thank you,
Kathryn