SINCE she passed away last August, Jo Davies’ memory has inspired her family, friends and colleagues to raise more than £32,000 in her name.
Tomorrow Evening Mail reporter, EMMA PRESTON, travels to Peru to do her bit.
THIS time next week, I will be in a snowy mountain range in Southern Peru.
I begin my five-day trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu along the Salkantay mountain route on Sunday September 4. I will be bearing the Go for Jo logo of the charity set up in memory of Evening Mail journalist, Jo Davies, following her death in August 2015. Jo’s Appeal raises funds for Furness General Hospital’s oncology unit, St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston and the Eve Appeal national women’s cancer charity.
When I first began fundraising, I had been disappointed at having plans for a series of sporting challenges scuppered by the re-emergence of a seven-year-old knee injury. But I have seen so many pictures of Jo hiking in her beloved Lake District - as well as travelling the world on adventures with her husband Matt - that the change of plan soon started to seem fitting.
While to some it might seem less of a challenge than other exploits might have been, I genuinely believe this will be one of the harder charity challenges I have undertaken.
It is not only the dreaded knee and other related leg pains that are playing on my mind. Before running a half marathon, I knew I could manage at least 10 miles. Before doing my first sprint triathlon, I knew I could do each stage in isolation. But I genuinely have no idea what to expect when it comes to this one - whether that be the effects of the altitude, the demands of the climb or the general climate and conditions.
I am mainly, however, just hugely excited. I also feel at least a little more prepared than I might have previously.
I would like to say a huge thanks to Low Wood Club in Windermere, where personal trainer Emma Robinson has spent the last two weeks kicking me into shape during eight gruelling sessions. In an act of true kindness, the club donated my full fee for Emma’s expertise straight back to Jo’s Appeal.
Which of course leads me onto another thank you - to all those who have generously coughed up the cash that will help the charity improve and even save so many lives. My colleagues in particular, who have time and again showed support for each other’s endeavours all while fundraising for their own Go For Jo challenges.
All in all, preparing for this challenge has reminded me how blessed I am. I know how lucky I am to be going on this adventure - just as I was lucky to have known the woman who inspired it - and I am determined to enjoy every moment.
“She had a ball”, Matt told us, the day after he lost his wonderful wife. What better way to Live Like Jo than to go out there and do exactly that?
Read more:
Jo's legacy lives on with £20,000 gift for cancer research
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