Memorial bench for Sudbury first responder Martin Richards

Martin Richards volunteered as a first responder for the ambulance service, and helped provide life-saving skills to many others in the community through his own charity.

Family, friends, and colleagues have raised more than £1,000 to erect a bench in his memory in Long Melford.

The memorial was unveiled on Tuesday, April 25, and is positioned outside the Iceland store on North Street in Sudbury.

Attending were members of Mr Richards' family and former colleague Gary Drury.

Mr Drury said: "The family were in awe, overwhelmed with the support.

"They were absolutely delighted with the generosity of people - Martin's friends, family, and colleagues, and members of the public who helped funded the bench through the Justgiving page.

"Martin was very very involved, and had his hand in many organisations. He helped Sudbury Town Council with first aid training and was a first responder.

"He just wanted to help people of the younger generation with something that they kind of need - life-saving skills.

"He wanted to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved. He did whatever he could to help everybody."

Joining the Sudbury Community First Responders in 2005, Mr Richards served as a community first responder for the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST).

He became the Sudbury group’s co-ordinator, as well as a designated trainer, teaching his colleagues the skills that would help them save countless lives.

His own charity, Gryphon First Aid Unit, provided first aid training and coverage at local and countywide events. 

Mr Richards, who lived in Sudbury and worked in Long Melford, sadly passed away at home from a cardiac arrest at the age of 71, on October 21, 2022. He leaves behind wife Janis, daughter Carol, and son Trevor.