Get Our Ben Back Home

Hello,

We wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has kindly donated to this fund. The fund has reached £7582 to date (less gofundme admin costs) which is just amazing. Your incredible generosity not only allowed us to repatriate Ben back to the UK and have a fitting funeral and burial, but most importantly shows just how many lives Ben touched and how much he was loved.  

Again, Thank You so very very much.

We wanted to show exactly where these funds are going
and explain what happens next. 

Ben's repatriation and burial cost a total of £9900. These costs were comprised of three invoices; Roland Brothers International who repatriated Ben (£5'190), W Sherry & Sons, the funeral directors who arranged the burial in London (£4'590) and International Translation Services for official paperwork required by the Coroner (£120).

If anyone would like further information, please do get in touch. 

We are now going to close the fund. The shortfall between donations and costs has been covered by the Martin Family.

Anyone wishing to contribute further can donate to Lucie Blackman Trust (www.lbt.global) and The River House Trust (www.riverhouse.org). LBT has been a huge help and support in what has been an incredibly difficult period since Ben passed away. River House Trust was of great help and support throughout Ben's life. Please do check out both organisations - they do incredible work. 

Thank you again. 


Please note: 

This crowdfunding page was kindly set up by Stan Bloomfield, a good friend of Ben's to provide funds for Ben’s repatriation and burial which was organised by Ben’s next of kin, Carol Martin and the Martin Family.

This fund is being used specifically and solely for the above. 

Original Text For Fundraiser:-
My dear friend Benedict Joseph Edwards Martin was tragically killed in a road traffic accident on Friday 8th October. He was celebrating his 47th birthday and was in Spain at this time.

 

Many of you will know Ben fom the Gay scene over years. Not only was he a proud and active member but but he fought for Gay rights continually during his life. These included the appeal of section 28, Gay marriage and the equalisation of consent. Some of you reading this would have seen him on various marches and protests, including as a member of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

 

He had just bravely fought and won his battle with Oesophogeal Cancer, having his final major operation in March of this year, which makes his passing even more tragic, if that could be at all possible.

 

He was also a son, brother and Uncle much loved by his family. It goes without saying that they are absolutely devastated and heartbroken by their loss.

To add to their heartbreak, a repatriation of Ben's body and funeral will cost in excess of £12'000. Ben had no insurance to cover either his funeral costs or the repatriation and died without any assets

 

With that in mind I send this appeal. Please give what you can and help getting our Ben back home to his family and friends.

Thank you

#getourbenbackhome.