Publish date: 1 July 2026
A community fundraising event held at Offerton Fire Station in Stockport on Sunday 28 June has raised an incredible £3,500 for the Critical Care Unit at Tameside Hospital, in memory of 34-year-old Mark, whose legacy continues to inspire others.
The fire engine wash was organised by Mark's mum, Dawn, alongside family and friends, to thank the team who cared for him and to support the creation of a memorial garden at the hospital's Critical Care Unit.
In August 2025, Mark was admitted to the Critical Care Unit after suffering two cardiac arrests caused by a seizure. Despite the determined efforts of paramedics, who twice fought to save his life, and the dedicated care of the Critical Care team, Mark sadly never regained consciousness due to the lack of oxygen to his brain.
Throughout his time on the unit, Dawn and her family were supported with compassion and kindness by staff, who explained every aspect of Mark's care and treated him with dignity, speaking to him throughout despite him being unconscious.
Following the heartbreaking decision to withdraw life-sustaining treatment, Mark's wish to be an organ donor was honoured. On 2 September 2025, he donated his organs, saving the lives of five people.
As Mark was taken to theatre, his family walked behind his bed while the Critical Care team formed a guard of honour along the corridor - a moment his family describe as both heartbreaking and one they will never forget.
Determined to ensure Mark's legacy lives on, Dawn has dedicated herself to fundraising for the Critical Care Unit. Her hope is to help create a memorial garden where families facing unimaginable circumstances can find a quiet place to reflect, make difficult phone calls and spend precious moments together.
The fire engine wash was filled with love, laughter, tears and treasured memories as the community came together to celebrate Mark's life. The event raised £3,500, taking the family's fundraising total to more than £13,000.
Dawn said "I vowed to keep Mark's legacy and memory going, and this I will continue to do. If there had been a space like a memorial garden where we could have sat, reflected and made those difficult phone calls, it would have meant so much. I hope this fundraising will help create that space for other families."
The funds raised will help support the development of the memorial garden at Tameside Hospital's Critical Care Unit, creating a peaceful space for patients, families and staff.
Emily Whelan, Charity Manager for Tameside & Glossop NSH Charity said “Mark's family have been absolutely amazing in supporting our critical care unit and the generosity shown by the local community is helping to ensure Mark’s kindness and selflessness continue to make a difference long into the future”.
