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Dead firefighter's sons launch book to help children cope with bereavement

Morag KinniburghBBC Scotland
Shelley Martin Oliver and Daniel Martin are sitting at a table holding brown teddy bears with scarves on. Each has a Barry the Brave book beside them featuring the same bear on the front cover. Oliver has short, blond hair and Daniel has short, dark hair an black-rimmed glasses. They are both wearing black T-shirts.Shelley Martin
Oliver (left) and Daniel Martin have written the book to help other bereaved children

''Just try and enjoy your life. Remember they are in your heart always, whatever you do''.

These wise words were written by eight-year-old twins Oliver and Daniel whose firefighter dad Barry Martin died after being seriously injured while fighting a fire in Jenners Department store in Edinburgh in 2023.

As their dad lay critically ill in hospital, the boys, now 12, kept a journal of their thoughts and feelings in the hope that he could see what they had been doing when he recovered.

They kept the journal going after his death and it has now been used as the basis for a therapy book they have written - which comes with a companion teddy bear - to help other bereaved children.

''We really wanted to create a book that would actually have an impact, because of what we've been through, to help other people, '' Daniel said.

''We do remember a lot of what happened and it was horrible.

"How it happened, my memories of the day and how it turned out. It was a very difficult time. There's always going to be a mark that's left.

"We obviously do miss him a lot and sometimes it can be quite sad."

SFRS Barry Martin is standing on the steps of a red fire engine, looking at the camera. He is wearing brown fire-resistant overalls with hi-vis stripes on them and a yellow and black helmet SFRS
Barry Martin died four days after fighting the fire at the former Jenners store in Edinburgh

The 38-year-old from Fife was called to tackle the blaze at the former Jenners department store on Princes Street, Edinburgh, on 23 January 2023.

After suffering very serious injuries he died at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary four days later.

He was the first firefighter to die in the line of duty in Scotland in 14 years.

Speaking about the days after their dad was injured, Daniel said: ''It was very scary and we didn't know what was going to happen."

During that time, the twins began writing their journal in the hope that their dad would wake up and be able to read their journal during his recovery. They carried on writing it after his death to help them cope.

Their book "Barry the Brave" - aimed children aged between six and 12 - uses their own experiences to help others cope with traumatic deaths.

It takes young readers through the different emotions children can feel when someone in their family dies suddenly.

Shelley Martin Barry an Shelley Martin with their twin boys Oliver and Daniel who look to be aged about five in the photo. They are all dressed up as if going to a wedding. Barry and his sons are wearing kilts and formal Scottish attire and Shelley is wearinga cream shawl and flowers in her hairShelley Martin
Shelley Martin said she believed Barry would have been very proud of their sons

The brothers say the Bazza bear that accompanies the book has been designed to bring solace and comfort.

Oliver said: ''If you're sad you can cuddle up with it. It's for those people who are having a difficult time. We feel like they should have help to deal with what they're going through.''

The twins launched their book at Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries on Saturday - Barry Martin Day - alongside family, friends and supporters of the Barry Martin Foundation.

Copies will be donated to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary's bereavement team and the family hopes the charity will also give books to Scottish primary schools.

As they approach the start of high school, the twins are now contemplating creating resources for bereaved teenagers because writing has helped them both find ways of coping.

Shelley Martin Barry Martin is smiling at the camera. He is wearing a black top and a black beanie hat and is standing in front of stairs in a houseShelley Martin
Barry's family are still waiting for the details of an inquiry into his death to be published

Their mum, Shelley, said she hopes the resources will help children navigate grief and bring hope amid sadness.

''I've very proud of them. My heart could burst with how proud I am," she said.

"They've overcome so much. There's still a lot to come, but part of the book is about showing other people how you can live with loss, and you can live with love, you can live with grief, and you can live with happiness.

"This book is for a child to understand it's OK to feel sad, and sometimes feel happy, because it can be very confusing and that is what our life is.

"I think Barry would be so proud of these two. ''

The family are still waiting for the details of an inquiry into Barry's death to be published.

Shelley said they were waiting for answers, truth, accountability, and justice.

A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said: "We recognise the deep loss felt by Barry Martin's family and their wish to understand the full facts of his tragic death.

"COPFS are considering the circumstances of Barry's death thoroughly and independently as we seek to establish what happened, consider the question of criminality and issues of safety.

"This complex and detailed investigation is ongoing, and we will continue to share significant developments with the Martin family."