Sunderland have launched a charity appeal in memory of the club's former goalkeeper coach Tim Carter.

The appeal is looking to raise £1.2m for the Percy Hedley Foundation, which will use the money to build a hydrotherapy pool for their schools for children with Celebral Palsy.

Sunderland are promoting the charity in memory of Tim Carter, who was found dead in June by a passer-by in Manchester. Carter's son attends one of the schools, and chairman Niall Quinn was more than eager to put the club's name to the appeal.

Quinn said: "Tim was a fantastic servant to Sunderland Football Club and more importantly a wonderful, gentle man who is missed by all of us every day. We are delighted to be able to give our backing to this appeal which will provide both a much-needed facility for the North-East region and a lasting memory of a special person."

Gina Carter, Tim's widow, added; "My husband was overwhelmed and humbled by the determination and achievements of the children and adults at Percy Hedley School. The Percy Hedley School was close to his heart as our son Jensen has Cerebral Palsy and is a pupil at the school. The hydrotherapy pool that will be built in Tim's name will make a huge difference to the children and adults at the school."

• To donate to the appeal, you can visit the charity's website - www.percyhedley.org.uk - or you can donate via a text message. You can text the word PERCY to 82540 to make a £1 donation, or HEDLEY to 82540 to donate £5 to the appeal (UK mobiles only, texts charged at network rates plus the value of your donation).