Brave mum to kayak River Tyne at the spot where her…

Brave mum to kayak River Tyne at the spot where her son died after jumping from Tyne Bridge

A brave mum who lost her son when he tragically jumped from the Tyne Bridge will kayak along the River Tyne near the spot where he died.

Brendan Smail, 20, was suffering from depression when he took his own life on May 30, 2018, leaving his family and friends devastated. Four years on, his heartbroken mother Mary Smail is doing everything she can to help other people in his position.

The 55-year-old dreams of opening a centre near the Tyne Bridge where people can seek immediate support, under the name Brendan's Trust. This week, Mary will take on a huge challenge to help raise some of the funds she needs to open the centre.

At 12 noon on Wednesday, Mary will kayak from Hexham Bridge to Wylam in Northumberland, before camping overnight. On Thursday, she will travel under the Tyne Bridge as she kayaks from Wylam to St Peter's Basin in Walker, Newcastle.

Brendan Smail died in May 2018 (Newcastle Chronicle)

Mary, who lives in Walker, said: "It's going to be a major challenge. I've never been in a kayak!

"I'm excited about tomorrow. The only thing that is worrying me is going under the bridge. I do have panic attacks when I see the bridge. Once it's behind me I will be fine. I have got to overcome this fear of the bridge. If I can do it then anybody can do it."

The mum-of-five, who works as a senior care assistant at The Manor House in Gosforth, said the two-day fundraising challenge was the brainchild of Stu Cooper, the manager of the PTE Social Club in Walker.

Mary said Stu and one of his friends will accompany her on the journey. She believes they will give her the strength she needs to complete the challenge. She said: "I have got two lads to help me and get me through it. Stu does it quite regularly and he's a massive support."

Mary Smail's late brother Jim drowned in the River Tyne (Chonicle Live)

Mary said kayaking along the River Tyne is a double challenge for her as her three-year-old brother James Dolan, known as Jim, drowned in the river near Walker when she was a small child. She said Jim and his four-year-old friend lost their lives when they tried to rescue a ball from the water.

Mary, who is also mum to Cavan, 35, Stephen, 33, Scott, 29, and Bobby-Lee, 27, said: "There was a lady looking after him. Him and his friend went down to play football and the ball went into the water. They tried to get the ball and fell in.

"There was people all over looking for them. I remember being a kid and coming in from school to find he had gone missing. It was about two weeks before they found him. I think they found him further up the river.

"I think mentally it will drain me. It's huge but I've got to do it. I'm determined to do it. I know I'm going to come out feeling like the Hulk! I know I can do it."

In June this year, Mary marked the fourth year since Brendan's passing by holding a fundraising night in his memory. The event, at PTE Social Club in Walker, raised £155 for mental health charity Mind.

Mary has set up a Go Fund Me page to raise money for Brendan's Trust.

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