Martin is a 14 year old boy diagnosed with cancer and already living with a heart condition, in order to get the life saving treatment that he needs he must first get a heart transplant.

Here is the story. My wife and I were persuaded to relocate from England to Estonia to set up a satellite factory to produce medical equipment. During our seven years in Estonia we made a number of good friends. Two of these were Amir and Marjo. Amir has a barber shop and Marjo directs taxi’s in Stockholm from Estonia.

It was found they could not have children. An Estonian husband lost his wife in childbirth. He could not cope with the situation and made the decision to have the new child and her older brother (Martin) adopted. Amir and Marjo’s application to adopt Martin and Elisabeth was stringently vetted and approved. (As a sweet aside. Amir and Marjo then had their own child, Mirriam, a impish young lady who has gone on to become a junior championship gymnast – check it out.)

All was well for some years. However, it was found that both the adopted children had an inherited heart condition. Now here is the thing. Martin has been diagnosed with stomach cancer but his heart is too weak for them to operate. The Estonian government has offered to provide a heart transplant but over the water in Helsinki Finland. The plan is to then treat the stomach cancer after the heart transport. This involves a three week assement in Helsinki then a three month stay when a heart becomes available.

Amir needs to accompany his son and no provision is available to cover his loss of earnings, travel and accommodation costs. It is for this reason that we are appealing for this £30,000. We hope that you can see your way to help save this 14 year old boy’s life.