Julie Reay, 43, of Roker Avenue, set up the Peter David Lane Trust Fund, to keep her son's memory alive after he died in a rope swing accident aged 13.

With help from friends and family she smashed the target of £30,000 which she set out to raise for the children's hospice and now she has begun a new venture.

She plans to support the Variety Club and help buy a Sunshine coach for a local school or community group.

Julie said: "I just felt I wanted a new project. We went £20,000 over the target for the Grace House appeal so I think it's time to start something else.

"I was on a visit at Sunningdale School last year and they had the new Sunshine Coach parked outside. It was in someone's memory and I thought it was a great way of remembering someone.

"The cost of the sponsorship is around £17,500. It's another huge amount, but with all the people who have helped in the past and help now I know we can make it happen."

Peter Lane died when he fell from a rope swing on to a concrete path at Galley's Gill, near the Gill Bridge, in November 2002.

Julie has drawn strength from the fund-raising carried out in his name and said it will be a proud moment for her when Peter's name is displayed on the new coach.

Jim Cleghorn, fund-raiser for The Variety Club, said: " It is great to have Julie on board. She is one of the best fund-raisers I have ever come across. She is fabulous. Nothing stops her.

"It is not only that she is raising funds for us but she is promoting The Variety Club, which is very important because we want the people of Sunderland to know what we are about."

The charity is most famous for the Sunshine Coaches it donates to special school, hospices and centres working with sick, disabled or disadvantaged children.

It also provide specialist wheelchairs to youngsters in need and helps with costs of simple or technical equipment for individual children, families or organisations.

The Variety Club is happy to have the help of the Peter David Lane Trust Fund supporters but, of course, The Grace House Appeal is sad to see her go.

Founder Kathy Secker, said: "She has raised an amazing amount of money. We are immensely grateful, and I quite understand her decision."