THE spirit and tenacity of a truly one-of-a-kind woman will live on in the lives of others who will benefit from £20,000-worth of pioneering research funded in her memory.

When Jo Davies died in August last year, Barrow lost a well-known and beloved community journalist as well as a treasured wife, daughter, sister and friend. But the legacy she left behind has proved to be simply incredible.

Less than a year after the 38-year-old passed away, a charity set up in the days before her death has surpassed every expectation she and her family could ever have had.

Jo’s husband, Evening Mail sports editor Matt Davies, said: “Not in a million years did I think we’d be here.

“People have asked me before how much did I envisage raising in a year. If you’d told me we’d raise £20,000 in the year, I’d have said that was crazy, but we raised that by Christmas and we’re now upwards of £32,000 with lots still to come.

“It’s just been incredible, the generosity of people.”

Today, Jo’s Appeal has the honour of announcing its first donation - £20,000 to The Eve Appeal. Jo became involved with the national charity, which funds research into gynaecological cancers, after being diagnosed with advanced stage ovarian cancer in January 2010.

Her loved ones have decided to make their first donation to the charity to ensure its life-saving research does not wait another day. Big donations will be made to Jo’s other chosen causes - St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston and Furness General Hospital's oncology unit - in the future.

Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of The Eve Appeal said: “The Eve Appeal team wouldn't be able to make the strides in the research we do, without the support of amazing people who are equally passionate about changing the course of these cancers.

"Inspired by Jo, Matt and their amazing family and friends have raised an incredible amount of awareness and funds this year. The £20,000 which they’ve raised for Jo’s Appeal will make a significant difference to taking forward medical research into the prevention and early detection of gynaecological cancers – it is such a fantastic feat.

"Jo lived life to the full and made a positive difference in everything she did. Her family and friends are honouring and continuing that for women of today and the future.”

The drive to carry on Jo’s legacy continued on Saturday and Sunday, with the first Go for Jo weekend. Her friends and family took part in Barrow’s parkrun and a sponsored swim across Windermere to further boost the coffers of the appeal.

Matt has thanked all those who have donated so far, as well as those who have sought sponsorship and support for a huge range of events and fundraisers.

He said: “The generosity of the people of Furness and from further afield has been amazing, and the charity’s success is also testament to Jo's popularity in the community.

“The initial outpouring was just unbelievable. To keep that kind of level of fundraising going would be unlikely because, understandably, there are so many other charities seeking support. You can’t keep expecting people to just carry on donating.

“I don’t think we’ll raise this much again in a calendar year, but we’re not just going to stop because its what we want to do. It’s doing her proud.”

No limit to fund-raising ideas

The Go for Jo weekend is just the latest in a long line-up of incredible fundraisers that have inspired generosity in Jo’s memory.

The appeal fund was kick-started with a staggering collection of more than £2,000 at her funeral service, and her family have continued to receive generous one-off donations.

In November, Barrow Amateur Boxing Club's annual charity fight night and auction raised a whopping £5,835.00. December then saw a reunion match between the Barrow Celtic A and B teams of 1985. Towards the end of year, more than 200 sales of the Live Like Jo Calendar raised almost £1,000.

With Jo having been a keen traveller and adventurer, it was almost impossible to pick just 12 pictures for its pages.

The holiday season proved a particularly productive time for the charity, with a Pop Into Christmas concert raising £700, the Evening Mail carol service almost £300, a festive jumper day at the newspaper around £200 and two Christmas craft fairs amassing £1,700.

The Go for Jo Wainwrights challenge began at the end of January, with teams of hardy souls tackling at least one of the Lake District fells every month and collecting money in her magic hiking boot.

In February, a Quiz Like Jo event celebrated yet another of her favourite pastimes. In May this year, a Good as New sale saw shopaholics and fashionistas trade in their favourite items in aid of the worthy cause.

That same month, two brave teams tackled the Keswick and Coniston to Barrow walks. Countless people have organised summer fitness challenges, and none more so than Jo’s dedicated husband Matt who is taking on a range of triathlons, runs and other endurance events. Earlier this year, his comrades at Ulverston Tri Club hosted a brand new event in Jo’s honour.

Just this month, Furness CC players past and present went head to head in a charity cricket competition, while Barrow Raiders player Liam Harrison will be donating funds from his testimonial season to the appeal, with celebratory events being held throughout 2016.

It is almost impossible to list every event individually, with coffee mornings, afternoon teas, craft fairs, sporting events and other celebrations constantly being held in Jo’s name.