A regional daily reporter competed in her first triathlon in memory of a colleague who died of cancer.

Gabrielle Rowley, lifestyle correspondent at the North West Evening Mail, undertook the challenge in memory of features writer Jo-anne Davies, who passed away last August aged 38.

Gabrielle was encouraged to take part in the triathlon by Jo-anne’s widower Matt, who is the Evening Mail’s sports editor.

He also took part in a longer version of the same event, hosted by Ulverston Tri Club, to raise money for Jo’s Appeal – a charitable fund set up in her memory.

Gabrielle, pictured above, wrote of her experience in a piece for the newspaper, in which she recommended the sport to readers.

She told HTFP: “Being a lifestyle and features writer I am used to interviewing others and then scuttling off to write up their interesting achievements.

“With this story I felt a little nervous because I was writing about myself but I wanted to give readers a true account of how I felt competing against athletes who were much fitter than myself.

“There were moments during that race when my toes literally curled with embarrassment at how silly I felt.

“However, I had a brilliant time and got to take part in a great event with one of my best friends and my fantastic colleague Matt for a wonderful cause. I would definitely do it all over again.”