Mary Hallett, 16, was joined by family and footballer Dean Windass at the unveiling of a suicide prevention bench on Hull Marina
Mary Hallett sits on the bench she fundraised for in memory of her mum, Emma(Image: Submitted)
A Hull teenager has revealed a bench in memory of her mum who died by suicide. Mary Hallett, 16, was at the official unveiling ceremony on Friday.
The bench, which was paid for through Mary’s fundraising, sits proudly on Hull Marina. Mary says if it helps just one other person, then it will have done its job.
It contains a memorial to Mary’s mum, Emma Keefe, and other crisis hotline numbers. There is a QR code which tells Emma’s story and the bench lights up at night to act as a beacon of light for anyone struggling with their mental health.
Emma tragically died in 2024 after struggling with her mental health for many years. At the time, her family and friends believed she was in a good place.
Mary decided to raise funds for the bench because she didn’t have anywhere to go to remember her mum. She hopes the bench will help others who find themselves in crisis.
Mary said: “It was emotional when I saw the bench and it brought everything back up, seeing mum’s name on it. It was emotional and I’m just happy to have it there now. I went back late on Saturday night and saw it all lit up. It looks amazing. It lights up as well to stand out on a night. Hopefully if it helps one person then it’s done what it’s meant to do.
She says her siblings Joe, Heidi and George are “really proud” of her for raising the funds to buy the bench. “They just are really happy it’s all done and put in place,” she said. “My mum’s dad is also really happy. He’s gutted he couldn’t get down because he had visitors who’ve come from abroad and he said he’s so proud of me. I look a lot like my mum, and he said I just saw her when he was looking at the photos. It’s definitely something she would want there. I’m just happy it’s all done now.”
Mary was joined by members of her family, alongside footballer Dean Windass, MP Emma Hardy and Hull City Councillor Tracey Henry. The Deputy Lord Mayor also attended and stood by Mary when she cut the ribbon to unveil the bench.
According to Legend on the Bench, which is the charity which installs the benches, there are 129 Suicide Prevention Benches in the UK and Ireland – and the number is climbing. Mary fundraised for the bench by undertaking a running challenge last November.
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