Family of tragic Peterborough dad killed on A47 give thanks for help

The family of a loving father have thanked the community for their support after he was killed in a tragic road accident.

Dad of five Martin Burlingham (34) died in a crash on the A47 near Guyhirn on Monday, July 20 at about 6am.

Martin died at the scene of the collision, which involved his Ford Fiesta and a lorry.

Now Martin’s partner, Kylie Thorpe (31), has created a memorial garden at their home in Salix Road, Hampton Hargate, Peterborough to allow the couple’s daughters a place to remember their dad.

The family were able to create the garden with help from Hampton garden centre Dobbies, who donated £500 to the family when they heard about the tragic accident through a friend of the family.

Kylie said: “When Martin died one of my friends contacted Dobbies, and they donated £500 to create the garden for Martin.

“We have put it at the bottom of the garden, so the children have a place to go and speak to him.

“They spend a bit of time down there, especially when they are feeling down.

“Martin was cremated, so there is not a grave to remember him at. It was important to do something like this.

“It is a beautiful, peaceful area to remember him.”

The garden includes a bench, which has a dedication to Martin, including his birth date and the date he died, some solar powered lights and a fountain.

It also has a number of ornaments chosen by Martin’s relatives.

Kylie said: “I did not know anything about what Dobbies were doing - it is such a nice gesture, and we really want to say thank you to Dobbies for all they have done to help us.”

The family - Kylie, Brittany-Louise (14), Macie-Marie (11), Kiera-Anne (9), Shauna-Leigh (5) and Sammi-Jo (16 months), are still coming to terms with Martin’s untimely death.

Kylie said: “Martin had a great personality. He was a very chilled out, laid back, hard working dad.

“I could not have asked for anyone better to be the father of my children.

“Everything he did was for his family. He would do anything for them.

“He lived and worked for his children.

“The children are struggling. The eldest is trying to be a rock, but Shauna-Leigh thinks he is just ill, and doesn’t understand.

“Our friends and family have been brilliant, really fantastic in helping and supporting us. I really can’t thank them enough for all they have done.”

The couple had lived in Peterborough for seven years, having met and previously lived in Cambridge - although Martin was born in London, and has a brother and a sister.

He had been working on his own in the last few weeks, and was preparing to start a new job when the crash happened.

Kylie said: “He had been a roofer since he left school. He was a very hard worker, nothing was ever an issue or any job too small.

“For the last couple of weeks he had been working on his own, and was quite happy. He was due to start a new roofing job on Monday, and he was happy about it.”