In memory of our colleague and friend, Marina Watters, we have chosen PAPYRUS charity as our Charity of the Year for 2024.
Marina worked at the Fakenham office as an accountant, supporting many local businesses, groups and individuals with their tax and finances. She was an intelligent and energetic young woman, becoming a fully qualified accountant at the age of 23, but had sadness in her life that she struggled to be free from. Tragically, on 26 April 2023 it all became too much, and Marina decided to take her own life.
Her colleague and friend, Jo Brown, remembers her with much fondness, “Marina was always helpful and very work orientated. Her work was her life and she often put in time out of hours for clients. She was very popular and well liked.”
Martyn Benstead, Partner at Stephenson Smart’s Fakenham office, remembers Marina as a unique member of the team. “Everybody loved Marina and she meant a lot to me. She was one of those people who had it all, the personality to get on well with her colleagues and clients, as well as academic acumen; she had all the attributes to be a great accountant, with a lot of potential. Supporting PAPYRUS charity to raise awareness of suicide, and do all they can towards prevention, feels like a fitting memorial to Marina.”
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. Suicide is the biggest killer of people aged 35 and under in the UK. They believe that many suicides are preventable.
Their HOPELINE247 is a free, confidential, non-judgemental space to talk openly about thoughts of suicide with trained advisers: 0800 068 4141- the support can also be accessed by text, email, and webchat.
In addition to many other events throughout the year such as bakes sales, dress down days, bingo and quiz nights, the main event that employees, friends and families will be taking part in is a HOPEWALK in October. The walk will be over 17 miles of Peddars Way and give a chance to remember Marina and raise funds and awareness for the PAPYRUS charity.
You can find out about Stephenson Smart’s fundraising for PAPYRUS and donate on our team JustGiving page.
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