A FORMER Wee County pastor has been hailed for his unwavering approach to family life, following his death earlier this month.

Paul Martin spent eight years in Clacks, having moved to Alloa in 2010, and played an active part on the community.

Tragically, the 36-year-old died on July 1, after being diagnosed with stage four cancer just three weeks before.

After his passing, Paul's wife Isla paid tribute to a man who loved nothing more than spending time with his family.

The two married in 2009 after beginning their relationship as teenagers – before sharing a number of happy years in Alloa.

Isla told the Advertiser: "We both moved to Alloa in 2010 to take on the Alloa Elim Church on Greenside Street and we were there until 2018.

"We arrived to a church that only had a handful of people. So, over the years, we were building and establishing the church there – by the time we left there was a good 30-odd.

"Paul was also the chaplain for Alloa Athletic. He loved it; he really enjoyed going to the games. Even though we moved away he would always be backing Alloa.

"He was also the school's chaplain for a lot of the schools in Clackmannanshire.

"Paul also worked with Stirling University, supporting students and setting up a student service."

Isla remembers a family man who loved nothing more than spending time with Luke and Phoebe, their two children.

He also loved music and travelling and being outdoors. He devoted a lot of his time to the church and then when Luke was born, in Alloa, and then Phoebe last year, his life became all about family.

Isla added: "He only wanted to be with us, whatever we were doing, we'd have family days out.

"His hobby was spending time with his kids."

Over the course of the last year, the strain of the pandemic meant Paul was heavily involved in his new church's foodbank and Isla said he "was always giving his time to others."

Paul and Isla even lived above the church in Alloa for a brief period. As the church was so small, it could not afford to pay Paul.

"We had to live above the church," Isla continued. "Which was a bit of an experience.

"We managed to buy a house in Alloa and we were really happy. We were so sad to go in the end, we had a lot of good memories."

A donations page has been set up to help Isla and the family with the financial pressure.

Visit tinyurl.com/bw7dudr8 to make a donation.