Our friend Martin and his daughter Eve suffered horrific and life changing injuries in the recent Manchester Arena attack. They were 10 metres away from the bomb when it detonated. Martin suffered 22 shrapnel wounds from the nuts and bolts from the explosion, which basically entered his body from head to toe. One of the bolts entered through his neck, destroyed a main artery and then passed through his throat, at which point he swallowed it. He needed 16 pints of blood before he reached the intensive care unit and has had several long operations to remove the shrapnel and at first they didn’t think he was going to survive.

The bolt that caused the most damage lodged in his spine and has left him with a T10 spinal injury which means he is now paralysed from the waist down. He was in the trauma unit at Salford Royal until the end of June and was then in a spinal rehab centre in Southport where he was until the end of September.

Martin has been busy putting his story out there in the media with a series of moving and inspirational articles, such as this one published in The Times. You may also have seen him on the very moving ITV documentary 'Manchester: 100 Days After the Attack',

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/manchester-attack-victim-i-brushed-shoulders-with-the-bomber-salman-abedi-at-ariana-grande-concert-2m9nmlsvq

We are raising funds for Martin and Eve to help support the massive changes that will be needed to their lives going forward through a series of events:

#toughmudderformartinandeve

The team from Helios Medical Communications will be taking part in Tough Mudder at Belvoir Castle, Grantham on Saturday 12 May 2018 and they have kindly agreed to donate all proceeds raised to Martin and Eve. We will be posting updates on training and appreciate any support you can provide leading up to the event.

#10Kformartinandeve

A fantastic team of friends and family will be running the Manchester 10K on Sunday 20 May 2018. Those running are:

Lee Kibble, Katherine Kibble, Emily Reynard, Tom Reynard , Georgie Shears , Richard Shears , Hilary Minnock , John McCarthy , Jennie Oliver , Nancy Merrick, Alison Carlin , Georgia Harrison , Clara Greenwood , Maxine McMahon , Karen Young , Rebecca O'Malley

Martin himself will also be taking part in the race in his wheelchair which is an inspiring and amazing achievement 1 year on!!!

Please support this fabulous team of people to get us over that finish line.

#raveformartinandeve

Thanks to everyone who took part in our rave for Martin and Eve on Saturday 25 November, it was a fabulous night with lots more money raised. Special thanks go to the two venues (Blackdog and Roc and Rye), the event organisors (Andy Scott from High Five, Gemma Gore, Lewis Hurst), the DJs, those who donated raffle tickets and those who bought them, family and friends who helped sell the raffle tickets and everyone who came to the night.

#raffleformartinandeve

The list of prize winners from the draw on Saturday 25 November is below:

1. Family ticket for 4 to a Sale Sharks home game – Emily Boyle

2. Beauty hamper and voucher for Shine Hair and Beauty – Jacqui Bull

3. Wigan warriors signed rugby ball – Faye Andrews

4. Man United rucksack with home jersey, grey training jersey, anthem jacket, black hoodie, cap, scarf – John Foy

5. £100 Voucher for Pretty Little Thing – Mary Ford

6. Table of 4 at AJ Bell Christmas party night, Jinglefest – Mark O’Keefe

7. Bottle of Thomas Dakin gin – Alex Mosely

8. Sunday roast for two at The Metropolitan, Didsbury – Chris Hill

9. Signed Man United photos – Helen Molloy

10. Tour of Coronation Street to meet some of the cast – Wendy Monroe Salford Uni

11. Roc and Rye voucher – George Hoare

12. Afternoon tea for 4 at Runway 26 at Mcr City Airport – Nimesh P (VF)

13. Whisky tasting for 4 at The Whisky Shop, Manchester – Gary Hare

14. Manchester bee candle – Helen Miller

15. Oldham Athletic gift pack including match tickets and signed ball – Caroline Greenwood

16. Free parking for 2 weeks at any UK airport – Kiera Ruddy

17. Two tickets to the Alfresco festival in May 2018, Kent – Joanne Rogers

18. Signed Wayne Rooney photo – Jo Wild

19. Hospitality for 4 at any Man City home game this season (not including the derby) – Simon Wilson

20. £100 voucher for Police fashionwear – James Kennedy

21. Dinner at the GB Pizza Co, Didsbury – Caroline Greenwood

22. Haircut with Marcus Shamim, owner of Peter Marcus, Peter Street, Manchester and a goody bag, total value £100 – Zoe Appleton

23. Warrington Wolves signed rugby ball 1 – Si Wells

24. Warrington Wolves signed rugby ball 2 – Kelly Newton 07875 634253 (Emma)

25. England rugby league signed shirt - Jack Spence (VF)

26. Warrington Wolves signed and framed shirt - Will Challoner

27. Bottle of Haig Club signed by David Beckham – Thomas Hughes (VF)

28. Tickets to Django Django gig – Ryan Hancock

29. £250 of Dead Legacy clothing – Mark O’Keefe

30. 2 x tickets to any premier league football game – Karen Gee

31. Dinner for two at Barburrito – Greg Lord

32. Dinner for two at El Gato Negro to the value of £150 – Darren Clancy

33. Dinner for two at Heston Blumenthal’s one Michelin star restaurant, The Hinds Head, Bray ¬Craig Council

34. Haircut at Vidal Sassoon – Tate Walker (VF)

#eatcakeformartinandeve

Thanks to our amazing family, colleagues and friends for holding a series of cake sales and raffles that have raised a HUGE amount of money. Well done to all and thank you!!

#cycleformartinandeve

Our friend, Jemma Williamson a.k.a. THE JEMINATOR took part in the Manchester 100 km bike ride on Sunday 3 September to raise funds for Martin and Eve. Thank you all for supporting her with amazing achievement!