It is with the greatest regret that we report the death of Martin Etchells at the age of 69.
Martin was a wonderful, helpful, wise and friendly person, who did so much for the County Association and Sussex Schools, after moving to the coast from London in 1990, and becoming joint Treasurer with wife Diane (Di) in 1996. Together, they steadied the County's finances and turned around Sussex Schools dire position, when Martin agreed to take on its financial issues as well.
He was elected President of Sussex AA from 2014-16, a role he deftly combined with his Treasurer hat. Martin also took on the job of organising the Sussex Indoor Championships, including his final event at Carshalton in February. He was highly regarded and always a thoughtful and calming influence, when necessary, at Development and Executive Committee meetings.
Martin married Di in 2000, but they were together for thirty years, and he became step-father to Sam when she was just two. A doting grandfather, he idolised his five-year-old grandson Ottie.
Martin was born and spent his boyhood in Stockport, Cheshire before moving to London, where he met Di. He worked as Leisure Manager at Tower Hamlets and in 1990 took up a similar post at Hastings council.
He had already made a considerable name for himself as a fine administrator through Sportshall athletics, where he was also the Treasurer, and remained heavily involved till the end. Martin rose to become Treasurer to the AAAs, just one step away from the UK Governing body.
He was also the best announcer Sussex ever had, a talent recognised at National level as he was in demand to commentate at major athletics meetings across the country. Indeed he very much regretted having to withdraw from his first appearance at the All England Schools, at the last minute but passed all his meticulously prepared notes to his replacement.
Martin felt honoured to be the announcer at the Special Olympics every year, including trips to the Isle of Man and Jersey. He introduced the use of a PA system to County and County Schools cross country events, in all conditions, during the winter months.
Although he quickly became a Sussex man, this was only a small part of his voluntary life. Martin also worked for the Friends of Eastbourne Hospital presenting Hospital Radio programmes, as well as acting as Treasurer.
In his last few months, despite not feeling well at all, Martin did much of the preparatory work for The Athletics Museum's website, which is now up and running. Jane Ainsworth, the AAA Research Associate said: "His support for the project was inspiring and I will do my level best to make sure that the museum reflects all that is good about the sport to which he contributed so much".
Everyone who knew Martin describes him as a thoroughly lovely man, and his death leaves a deep hole in the lives of all of us.
We send our sincere condolences to Di, Sam, Ottie, Martin's Mother, Margaret, his brother Andrew and all his family and friends.
Because of COVID-19, Martin's funeral on 23rd September, will be private, but when circumstances permit, a special event is planned, to celebrate his outstanding contribution to the Community.
No flowers, but donations, if you wish, to The Friends of Eastbourne Hospital, Eastbourne District Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne BN21 2UD.