Sad passing of Martin Richards

It is with great sadness that we are informing you of the sudden passing of Martin Richards.

Martin was very passionate about all things volunteering and had been with EEAST as a volunteer for over 17 years. During this time Martin not only operated as a community first responder, but he was also the local co-ordinator for his local group, a volunteer trainer supporting local training sessions and training new recruits on the Induction courses.

Martin’s passion for EEAST volunteering saw him be elected as the Volunteer Advisory Forum (VAF) representative for Suffolk, where he shared his passion for volunteering in supporting and advising on how we could continue to improve the volunteer experiences within EEAST.

Martin was also a keen local champion for volunteering and could regularly be seen at local community events supporting and educating the public in first aid and basic life support through the BHF Heartstart scheme. Martins last contribution to the progression of volunteers, was to join volunteers and leaders from the NHS in London at the first volunteer workshop for the development of the national strategy for volunteering in Ambulance services earlier in October.

Martin’s enthusiasm, spread further than just Suffolk, and over the years he has interacted and supported many of you in varying roles, and will be remembered very fondly by all of us who knew him. 

At this difficult time, please do respect the family’s privacy as they come to terms with this sudden loss. 

The funeral is the 24th November at the Bury St Edmunds Crematorium at 11am. The wake will be taking place at Long Melford Village Hall.

Family flowers only and donations to ambulance charity through Honey Ball Undertakers, Sudbury.

If you need any support following this sad news, please do contact wellbeing. 

Wellbeing at EEAST (eastamb.nhs.uk) 

Published 1st November 2022