A CAMPAIGN has been launched to raise funds to help a brave Stourbridge mum who nearly drowned when she tried to rescue a young boy in heavy surf in north Devon.

Deb Drew had been bodyboarding at Woolacombe Beach while on holiday with her two sons last summer when she selflessly attempted to save a nine-year-old boy who had got into difficulties.

But the act of bravery left her fighting for life.

Both the boy and Deb, a popular board member at Stourbridge Lawn Tennis and Squash Club, were unconscious when they were pulled from the water and flown by RAF helicopter to North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple.

The youngster is thought to have suffered kidney damage following the drama on August 26 but he reportedly survived his ordeal to make a "near full recovery" according to the RNLI in north Devon.

Chances of a recovery, however, looked extremely bleak for former pharmaceutical firm rep Deb, who suffered a cardiac arrest.

She was later transferred to Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley but remained in a coma for around five months.

Against the odds, however, her condition stabilised and she is currently receiving treatment at Moseley Hall Hospital's brain injury rehabilitation unit, Birmingham, although her long-term prognosis remains unclear and she faces a long battle ahead of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and neurological treatment.

But in a bid to help - big-hearted friends have rallied together to start a fund to try and meet the anticipated costs of 49-year-old Deb's future care.

Tennis club colleague Steve Simmonds said: "She will need a great deal of help to achieve a good quality of life for both herself and her two sons."

To kick off the fundraising campaign, 13 members from the Sugar Loaf Lane club will be taking on an arduous two-day cycle ride that will take them across Devon - from Ilfracombe on the north coast to Plymouth in the south.

All money raised in sponsorship from the challenge, which gets underway tomorrow (Friday May 29), will go to the Deb Drew Fund.

Steve, who is among the team of intrepid cyclists, said: "We're hoping to raise in excess of £6,000."

The cycling team also comprises Richard Cattell, Julian Fellows, Aubrey Grosvenor, James Frost, Jason Sykes, Peter Jones, Mel Ellis, Nick Goodwin, Phil Holding, Jason Edwards, Ian Mitchell and Steve Thomas - with Stuart Wilkes providing logistical support.

Deb's mum Beryl Jones, aged 78, told the News: "Everybody's been so kind, people have really rallied round to help.

"We couldn't have had better friends and support from anybody - they've been amazing."

She said her daughter's 'gutsy' spirit has been helping her to fight on and added: "She's improving but it's very slow. It's altered our lives completely but she's a strong lady and doesn't let things beat her."

Mrs Jones said she would desperately like to hear from the family of the young boy Deb rushed to save but they have been unable to find a way of contacting him.

She said: "Apparently he lived in London and he was having dialysis at Great Ormond Street. We've tried all ways to find out how he is now. It would mean a lot to Deb."

Anyone wishing to sponsor the cyclists in their efforts to raise cash for courageous Deb can do so online at http://www.local-fundraising.com/