Martin Barber

My husband Martin was a fit and healthy Lothian & Borders officer, stationed in Bonnyrigg nr Edinburgh. We had been together ever since we were 21.

In 2005 our son Alex was born. In 2008, our daughter Olivia. Little did we know he would not be here to see her celebrate her first birthday… He died four days before from a totally unexpected heart attack, aged only 34.

There were no previous symptoms, no family history. We were devastated. We still miss him every day, even though I was lucky and found new love. John and I moved in together with our seven kids (that’s seven kids between us, none together) in 2011, but that meant losing my police pension and my widowed parent allowance.

In 2012 I got diagnosed with breast cancer, John quit his job to look after the children, as I was too weak on chemotherapy. My little ones were 3 and 6 at the time. Luckily I have fully recovered now (fingers crossed), and married John in 2014. We are still rebuilding our lives and our businesses – we are now both self-employed.

The support we receive from the St George’s Police Trust’s helps us to make special memories with and for our children, like taking them all camping or having special days out. Thank you so, so much St George’s Police Trust!”

Elke Thompson, formerly Barber, widow to Martin Charles Barber 20/7/74 – 22/4/09. RIP.