About - Hope4U Foundation

About Hope 4 U Foundation

Founded in 2020, Hope 4 U Foundation exists to support individuals and families impacted by suicide, trauma, mental health challenges, domestic violence, and homelessness. Built on lived experience, our mission is to walk alongside people in pain—bringing hope, healing, and resilience to those who feel forgotten.

Who We Help

Welcome to Hope4U

We’re here for anyone in our community from children affected by loss to older adults experiencing despair. Based in the Hawkesbury region, we also welcome people from across New South Wales and throughout Australia via our national helpline.

What we offer

Trauma-informed counselling for grief, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and domestic violence.
Peer support groups, including men’s and suicide loss gatherings, facilitated by experienced professionals.
Wellness and resilience workshops, designed to equip you with tools for stress management and emotional strength.
Animal–assisted therapy programs in partnership with Sanctuary Care and Hooves for Hope.
Outreach services, such as rural bus support, connecting isolated communities to resources and care

Signature Programs & Activities

Suicide Grief Group: Held fortnightly in North Richmond, this group offers a safe, facilitated environment for processing loss.
Hope Walk: A community walk to Canberra (East Richmond to Clarendon) that honours lives lost to suicide and raises awareness.
HWASP – Hawkesbury Wellness & Suicide Prevention Expo: Brings together local services, lived experience speakers, and peer networks to support mental health and suicide prevention.

Why We’re Different

We are driven by compassion, authenticity, and local impact. Every service is shaped by someone who has experienced loss firsthand. We value giving voice to grief, lifting stigma through conversation, and fostering healing through connection, whether in group settings or one-on-one support.

Join Our Community

Our aim is not only to deliver services, but to build a community where people feel seen, heard, and cared for. You don’t need a diagnosis or referral to reach out. Whether you’re seeking connection, education, or support, there’s a place for you here at Hope 4 U.

Contact & Connect

Feel free to explore our website to learn more about our programs, events, and support options. To speak with a member of our team, call 0457 467 348 or 1800 HOPE 4U (1800 467 348).
Signing up for our email updates ensures you never miss an event or resource, and you’ll receive reminders for groups and workshops in your area.

Meet Diane Russell

Founder & Director, Hope 4 U Foundation

Diane Russell is the heart and driving force behind Hope 4 U, a woman whose strength, compassion, and lived experience have transformed tragedy into a beacon of hope for others.

Di was born in New Zealand and settled in Australia since 2004. With over 30 years of experience as a Registered Nurse specialising in emergency and critical care, Di brings clinical expertise and a calming presence to everything she does. But what truly defines her work isn’t just her medical background, it’s her deep empathy and unshakable commitment to walk alongside those facing life’s most difficult moments.

A proud mum to six and “Nan” to eleven grandchildren, Di has faced more personal loss than most could imagine. Through the devastating loss of two sons to suicide and the heartbreak of losing a daughter to SIDS, she has turned her grief into purpose. Her response was not to retreat, but to reach out, build community, and create safe spaces for others navigating trauma, mental health struggles, and loss.

Di founded Hope 4 U to offer the support she once needed herself: real, down-to-earth help delivered with understanding, humility, and care. Whether it’s organising community events like the Hope Walk, running wellness workshops, hosting peer groups, or simply being a listening ear—Di leads with heart.

Her tireless work has earned her recognition, including Hawkesbury Woman of the Year (2022) and Citizen of the Year (2023), but her true reward comes from every life touched, every family supported, and every moment someone feels seen and no longer alone.

Di is a fierce advocate, a quiet achiever, and a shining example of how one person’s story can change countless others.

Jason

Born in New Zealand, 1984. He was the second eldest son of six children. Jason moved to Australia with his siblings. He was Married and also had two beautiful children. Loved his children. Jason was 31 years old when his life ended to suicide. He suffered from Bi-polar but never let that affect his life. He was a happy man loved life but did struggle silently. Jason died from suicide on the 10th November 2015.

This was devasting to his family from his brothers, nephews, children, wife, and friends. I always say ” I never saw it coming” but as time has gone by I look at warning signs. I questioned everything I could have done.

As a mum you want to help your children.

Aaron

Born in NZ and moved to the Hawkesbury District, Australia when he was 10 years old. Aaron attended Glossodia primary school, Riverstone High School, then finishing school in Wyndham college. He lived on the Gold Coast with his mum until his brothers death, when he moved back to the Hawkesbury working at Coles North Richmond where he formed great friendships.

Aaron died by suicide at the age of 27, he had depression after he had lost his brother to suicide. Words and what if’s will never bring him back.

Diane has lost her second son to suicide.

In 2016 Diane became a volunteer in local community group supporting others that had family members die from suicide. Diane said ” It was difficult to grieve from a death that nobody understood.” How does a family continue to live, work or even function when you lose a second child to suicide.

She stated “I don’t want to be another statistic or example of the role on affects of suicide. But It is real it is damaging and breaks families apart.

Diane encourages you to” talk about your darkness and your personal struggles don’t let society put pressure on you to feel ashamed”