The family of a popular Teessider who tragically took his own life have created a touching tribute to him to encourage other grieving families to seek support.

After loving dad-of-three Russ Devereux took his own life in 2018, his wife, Catherine, launched a charity called the Headlight Project in his memory.

Now Russ’ dad, Ken Devereux, has wrapped one of his firm’s trucks in the charity’s branding to help raise awareness of the Headlight Project’s important work.

The Northern Echo: Ken Devereux with the Headlight lorry

The Stockton-based charity provides support, including counselling and therapy, for those bereaved by suicide and Ken hopes the vehicle will encourage those battling grief to seek support.

“The pain of losing Russ is indescribable and one I hope no parent ever has to suffer,” admitted Ken, who is the director of Devereux Transport and Distribution. and a Headlight Project trustee.

“I wanted to do what I could to make people aware that there’s help available if they are enduring the same pain that our family has experienced through losing our beloved Russ.”

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The truck will carry the Headlight Project’s logo along with the moving message ‘A guiding light when the road ahead is dark’.

“The truck will be operational across the North East so we thought this was a great way of making thousands of people a week aware of the charity’s wonderful work,” added Ken.

“The sad reality is that, given the scale of suicide in the region, many of those people could benefit from the incredible work the Headlight Project does every day.”

The eye-catching wrap was painted by North East Truck & Van of Billingham after being designed by Mark Easby at Middlesbrough-based branding experts Better.

The project has been in the pipeline for several months and Mark said he was proud to support the charity amid growing need for its services.

“We offer our resources and expertise to support the charity, and we are proud and privileged to work with the team to bring this idea to life,” he added.

“We look forward to seeing the truck on the roads across Tees Valley to help increase awareness of the vital support Headlight provides”