Grieving Ann Collard has arranged a double funeral for her son and her mother.

On April 19 hundreds of people are expected to pay their respects at a requiem service for stabbing victim Danny Collard and his grandmother Sarah Parker at St Joseph's Church, Brighton.

Danny Collard, 20, died on March 22 from a knife wound to his heart.

Ten days later his 77-year-old grandmother Sarah Parker passed away after suffering multiple organ failure.

Now Mrs Collard, of Lower Bevendean Avenue, Brighton, said: "I really miss them both. My mum would have been able to help me through this but she obviously could not cope with losing Danny.

"It is the nights and early mornings that are the worst. There are always people here to support me during the day times. It is also good that I have my faith."

She added: "Danny was not a saint, he was a typical lad but he was lovely.

"I have received so many cards and letters from people. The house is full of them. Some of them are from people I do not even know.

"One woman wrote to me because she has a seven-year-old son and felt she wanted to show her support.

"I got a card with a cheque for £25 inside for Mencap from the Sussex Police ID Unit. Danny and his friends used to do ID parades sometimes when they needed extra money and the people at the unit had great affection for him.

"Going on how many people have shown their support and how many people attended the candlelit vigil for him last weekend, I think there will be a lot of people at the funeral, probably about 700."

Mrs Parker, collapsed with breathing problems on hearing of Danny's death. She was put on a life-support but died on Easter Monday.

The requiem will be held at 12.15pm and will be followed by burial at the Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Woodingdean.

Five days before the service, Pete Dalby, who worked with Danny at BT, will run the London Marathon in his place.

Mr Dalby of Founthill Road, Saltdean, said: "Danny was due to run the London Marathon on April 14 for Mencap. I asked his mother if I could raise the money and run the marathon in his place.

"I want to do this not only for Danny's memory but also for his mum. I will give the medal I get to her as if he had run it himself. The rules state that I have to run it in my name but it will be his number.

"I have not been training for this but I have run marathons before and am a member of Brighton and Hove Running Club. It would not be a problem if I end up walking round - it is raising the money that is the main thing.

"Sponsors are coming in all the time, especially from people I work with. There are a lot of people at BT who worked with Danny who are shocked and upset by his death. I am also going into pubs, bars and restaurants in the area asking for sponsorship."

Mrs Collard said: "I think it is wonderful that Pete is running this marathon in Danny's place and I am really grateful to him. Danny would have been thrilled.

"Danny always wanted to run it and tried last year but could not get a place because they run out of spaces quite quickly.

"This time he just organised it off his own back and chose to raise money for Mencap because of his brother, 16-year-old Joseph who is severely autistic."

Anyone wanting to sponsor Pete should call 01273 390414 or 0207 5554952.