Over £12,000 raised in memory of ‘lovely’ Sunderland mam who died in alleged ‘hit-and-run’ crash

Diane Jones, 59, passed away at the scene after being involved in a collision with a black Volvo XC90 in Sunderland

17:52, 21 Feb 2026Updated 18:01, 21 Feb 2026

Diane Jones, 59, died after being struck by a car in Sunderland(Image: Family Handout)

Over ?12,000 has been raised in memory of a "lovely, hard-working" mam from Sunderland[1] who died in an alleged hit-and-run crash. Diane Jones passed away at the scene after being involved in a collision with a black Volvo XC90 on the A690 Durham Road in Farringdon, near to Arbroath Road.

Following the crash on February 14, Northumbria Police[2] arrested Reece Roberts. He was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst uninsured[3], causing death whilst disqualified and aggravated vehicle taking. The 27-year-old, of Florida Street in Pallion, Sunderland, will appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday, March 17.

In the days after Diane's tragic death[4], colleagues of her daughter Hannah Jones set up a GoFundMe page with the aim of raising[5] money which would go towards funeral and burial services.

Despite being set up only four days ago, the fundraiser has so far raised a staggering ?12,472.

Diane Jones(Image: Donna Potts / GoFundMe)

Donna Potts, 45, who helped set up the fundraiser and works with Hannah, 29, as part of a mental health team in East Durham, expressed her happiness at the success of the GoFundMe. She said: "I couldn't believe it when I heard the news. When we heard the news [of Diane's death] at work we said we had to help out and decided to set up the fundraiser.

"Diane worked juggling two jobs as a cleaner and was trying to pay her mortgage off, she didn't have a lot of money.

I've known Hannah for around three or four years and she was renovating a new property. Diane was always there helping her out. She was just a lovely, hardworking person.

"She was a single mam and had brought Hannah and her brother Paul, 23, up.

She was always wanting to be there for them."

Donna, from Sunderland, added: "Diane had been to see a singer with a friend at the Dolphin pub and was on her way home when she was hit by a car. I knew her as Hannah's mam, but she was such a hard working person who was always trying to look after Hannah and Paul as best she could, she was lovely.

"Hannah also has a little balloon business and Diane was always helping out and setting balloons up. She was always there and she's going to be a massive miss.

They were a lovely, close family."

Donna added: "[When the fundraiser was set up] the Sunderland community spirit kicked in and loads of people have donated. Hannah was so overwhelmed by everybody's kindness, she's so grateful.

"I think it's probably eased some of the financial worry, but it doesn't take away the loss of her mam. It's still going to be painful."

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References

1. ^ Sunderland (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
2. ^ Northumbria Police (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
3. ^ He was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst uninsured (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
4. ^ after Diane's tragic death (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
5. ^ set up a GoFundMe page with the aim of raising (www.gofundme.com)
6. ^ Here's more information (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
7. ^ clicking here (www.google.com)
8. ^ sign up to receive it here (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)