The Red Bench Guy

Tuesday 25th March 2025 sees the Red-Carpet Premiere of “The Red Bench Guy”. This moving documentary has been filmed and produced by local business and South Tyneside Pledge signatory Seaspray Films. It tells the story of Wayne Rambo Groves, the founder of suicide prevention charity, and South Tyneside Pledge organisation, The Red Bench Project.

The Red Bench Project

The Red Bench Project is based on the simple idea of a bench. That idea has helped to save at least four lives (and potentially more); that’s at least four families and friends who are now not suffering from the loss of a loved one because of The Red Bench Project.

Benches are located at or near suicide hot spots, they can be used as a safe place for people to go to sit and think, calm down and get help. Each bench has a plaque with the phone number for The Samaritans as well as a QR code that will take them to their website where they can find the help they need.

Pledge Collaboration

David Taylor, the man behind Seaspray Films had seen a little about The Red Bench Project and was aware of Wayne as both are signatories of the South Tyneside Pledge. David heard Wayne being interviewed on a local radio programme. The open and honest way that Wayne talked gave David the idea of making a documentary about Wayne and The Red Bench Project.

Fast forward 8 months and a premiere charity screening of that documentary is to be held at Cineworld in Boldon on Tuesday 25^th March at 4:30pm. You can watch the trailer here:

Wayne explains:

“David has done many corporate videos for businesses and has dabbled with the odd documentary, even winning two awards, but this has been a very different challenge for him as he really wanted to do the best version he could and that has meant filming over a much longer time-frame than expected to make sure he could tell the right story in the best way. The fact that even the trailer has reduced a few people to tears shows not only how good a job David has done, but how much the subject matters to people.

“I didn’t want this screening to just be about me, so before the documentary we will be showing several short videos that have been shot with some of the other charities that work with and support The Red Bench Project. We will also be bringing a red carpet feel to the screening with a photographer snapping people as they arrive, and several charities and groups will be represented.

“We also have some special guests in attendance and even an award-winning artist performing an exclusive song he has put together for The Red Bench Project!”

You can buy tickets for the Charity Red Carpet screening of The Red Bench Guy at Cineworld in Boldon on Tuesday 25th March at 4:30pm online at https://ko-fi.com/theredbenchguy/shop/ticket  

Tickets cost £6 and the money raised will help them to promote it further, host more screenings, and reach those who need it most.

Supporter Packages

There are also several supporter packages available with various rewards including tickets, your name in the credits or even your company logo on the film and promotional material that will go out with the documentary to name a few. You can buy the packages at https://ko-fi.com/theredbenchguy/shop/supporterpackage or if you would like to find out more info you can email Wayne at info@theredbenchproject.co.uk

Wayne added:

“With your help, this film will raise awareness about suicide prevention and mental health, expand The Red Bench Project to more communities and encourage people to talk, connect, and support each other, by helping YOU are saving lives!”

You can keep up to date with The Red Bench Project at https://www.facebook.com/TheRedBenchProject
www.theredbenchproject.co.uk