A £20,000 donation to fund pioneering cancer research has been made in memory of a regional daily journalist.

The grant has been made to The Eve Appeal after fundraising by friends and colleagues of North West Evening Mail features write Jo-anne Davies, left, who passed away last August aged 38.

Jo-anne 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 after raising more than £32,000 for Jo’s Appeal since her death.

Jo’s widower, 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.”

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.