The Barry Martin Foundation SC054121

The Barry Martin Foundation

SC054121

SCIO

Supporting Bereaved Children. Honouring a remarkable man. Fighting for Justice.

The Barry Martin Foundation, a Scottish Charity, was created to honour the life and legacy of Barry Martin, a devoted firefighter who tragically lost his life in the line of duty in Edinburgh in 2023. Barry was more than a firefighter — he was a beloved husband, devoted father and friend.

In the wake of his passing, Barry’s family launched this foundation to turn their grief into a powerful force for good. The mission is simple yet profound: to support bereaved children who have lost a loved one, especially in sudden or traumatic circumstances, and to fight for accountability and justice in the wake of preventable workplace deaths.

What We Do

Through our growing range of projects and resources, we offer meaningful, child-centred support, ensuring that no child feels alone in their grief:

Books and Bears

A beautifully written and illustrated therapy book designed to help children process the loss of someone close to them. Inspired by Barry himself, the story features a gentle journey through grief, helping young minds understand difficult emotions in a safe, age-appropriate way.

Each child supported by the foundation will receives their own therapy bear – a comforting, cuddly companion to hold close during tough times. It’s more than just a toy – it’s a symbol of hope and healing.

Barry’s Benches

We install special benches in communities across Scotland, offering peaceful spaces to reflect, remember, and sit with feelings of grief. Each bench includes a QR code that links to mental health and bereavement support services, making help accessible right when it’s needed most.

Justice for Barry — and for Every Family Like Ours

While we support those left behind, we are also fighting for justice – for Barry, and for families like us. No one should go to work and not come home. We stand with others who are demanding real change: stronger protections, greater accountability, and lasting reform.

This fight is not only about answers – it’s about ensuring that no other family has to endure the same pain.

Barry Martin Day

Every year, we mark Barry Martin Day – a day to remember Barry’s courage, compassion, and community spirit. It’s a celebration of everything Barry stood for and a reminder of the ongoing support we provide in his name. From tributes to community events and fundraising efforts, Barry Martin Day is a powerful reminder that one life can spark hundreds of others.

Why Your Support Matters

Your donation helps us continue this vital work – putting therapy bears into the arms of grieving children, placing benches in communities that need them, amplifying the voices of families seeking justice, and creating resources that gently guide young people through loss. With your help, we can keep Barry’s memory alive in the most meaningful way: by being there for others, just as he always was.

Whether you donate, fundraise, or simply share our story – you become part of Barry’s legacy.

Together, we can turn heartbreak into hope. And we can turn loss into lasting change.

Thanking you all

The Barry Martin Foundation