A MOTHER whose enthusiasm inspired a North-East community to raise thousands of pounds towards creating Britain's first respite centre for autistic children has died aged 35.

Lesley Hanson's motivation to help the families of children with special needs led her to set up the Daisy Chain charity and the Respite Care and Family Support Centre at Calf Fallow Farm, in Norton, Teesside, with the support of her husband, Duane.

Her dream was to set up similar centres all over Britain, which would fill the void of support available to parents coping with autistic children.

The mother-of-two died suddenly on Friday afternoon after complications following a routine operation last Monday. An inquest will be held.

Mr Hanson, who gave up his job in social services nine months ago to work as project manager for Daisy Chain, said: "People have been concerned that everything would stop now that Lesley has gone.

"But I will continue to carry out her vision with vigour."

Friends and colleagues told The Northern Echo of their shock at her death, and described Lesley as a lively and bubbly woman who had touched everyone she met.

Matt Simpson, a family friend and the charity's development officer, said: "She was always so kind and happy and had a really good sense of humour.

"She had a knack of putting people at ease and inspiring them to get involved with her dream."

The couple were partly inspired by their eight-year-old autistic son, Jacob. Lesley felt an overwhelming desire to help parents with special-needs children who did not have the support network she was fortunate enough to have.

She first dreamed about creating a respite centre in 2002 and since then, she and her husband had worked tirelessly to raise money for the centre to be opened.

The couple, who were regular church-goers, had already raised £650,000 of the £1.5m needed to build and furnish the ten-bedroomed centre, and have been able to buy the farm and rare animal breeds that children can visit.

Lesley also ran a mother and toddler group and a group for special-needs children during holidays.

She also helped several elderly couples in the Stockton area with cooking and cleaning, and she and Mr Hanson, who also have a 17-year-old daughter, have fostered many children, and were the youngest couple in Britain to do so.

Judith Marsden, administrator and volunteer co-ordinator at the centre, said: "The centre became Duane's dream, and he supported Lesley all the way.

"We are determined that the centre will remain a happy place, like Lesley would have wanted it to be."

Details of the funeral arrangements have yet to be made.

Mr Hanson would prefer donations to the charity in lieu of flowers. The Daisy Chain address is Calf Fallow Farm, Calf Fallow Lane, Norton, TS20 1PF.