The mother of a seven-year-old who was murdered with his babysitter is to take part in a sponsored walk from Dunblane to London.

Denise Copley is Bradford co-ordinator of national support group Mothers Against Murder And Aggression (Mamaa).

Her son Jonathan and his 15-year-old babysitter Rachel Rooney were stabbed to death in February 1995. Their killer, Tariq Rehman, was sentenced to two life sentences for the double murder in March 1996.

Next month Mrs Copley will join scores of other parents whose children have been murdered to raise awareness of the organisation and boost funds.

It is hoped the event - which starts on June 3 and passes through Bradford on June 17 and 18 - will raise enough money to fund Mamaa help lines and pay for a 'retreat' where families can go for respite.

The charity was set up in 1993 following the murder of Liverpool toddler James Bulger and now supports more than 250 families nationwide who have suffered the trauma of having their child murdered.

As regional co-ordinator of Mamaa, Mrs Copley, who now lives in Wibsey, has campaigned for better local services for victims' families.

She said: "We are very concerned about the lack of help and support given to these families and the severe emotional and financial hardship they have to endure.

"Our aims are to provide support to families and friends of victims of murder, manslaughter, or unlawful killing, to increase the quality of communication between all parties concerned and to educate the public and professional bodies about the needs of homicide-affected victims."

Last year Mrs Copley delivered a petition to Downing Street, calling for life sentences to mean life. It included hundreds of signatures collected in Bradford city centre.

The walk will end in Trafalgar Square on July 3. Anyone wishing to collect sponsorship by completing the entire route or a section of the route, or to make a donation is asked to contact Mamaa on 0181 777 3406.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.