Last updated at 15:05, Monday, 26 November 2012

IN her first year of taking part in the Keswick to Barrow, Jo Mellor has set the bar high.

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She has earned her place in the walk’s history by setting a new, individual fundraising record.

She raised £3,300 herself towards her team’s staggering contribution of £15,000 for Cancer Research UK and received the Pierce Armstrong Memorial Trophy for the individual who raises the highest amount for charity.

Jo, and 31 colleagues from Wesco Aircraft in Huddersfield, approached business contacts and suppliers for sponsorship, with the amount they raised match-funded by the company.

They walked in memory of a former colleague, Paul Shirtliff, who died of a brain tumour, aged 46.

“Each year we do something for Cancer Research.

“We decided as a company we were going to do it this time last year,” says Jo, a director of supply chain for Wesco Aircraft, who heard about the walk through the company’s links with BAE.

“We keep in contact with Paul’s wife.

“She has close connections with Wesco Aircraft. On the day she sent every one of us a text message to say good luck.

“We plan to do it again for the same charity.”

Having beaten the previous individual fund-raising record, Jo plans to beat her own finishing time next year.

“I did 10hrs 18mins but felt I could do it faster,” she says.

“It is a challenge, whatever you say. We all did training. On the day it’s the mental challenge too.

“You get half way and you’re hurting already and you’ve got to get in the right mindset.”

As a result of the Keswick to Barrow Walk Cancer Research UK received over £20,000 to help develop and test new, more effective treatments for cancer.

First published at 16:36, Friday, 23 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk