THE legacy of a committed fundraiser who died while on holiday in Spain will live on after her kidneys were used to save the life of a transplant patient.

In addition, it is understood Donna Proudfoot's organ donation will mean the £10,000 raised through community events in the Bishop Auckland area to repatriate her will be given to good causes.

Mrs Proudfoot, who asked for money for cancer charities in lieu of Christmas gifts shortly before she died, went to Benidorm last month to celebrate turning 50, but died on November 21, the day after her birthday, after suffering a double brain aneurysm.

Her husband, John, knew she wished to be an organ donor, so within 20 minutes of her passing away he agreed that her kidneys could be used to save someone else in need.

Mrs Proudfoot’s brother, Wayne Ruddy, said the thought of his sister continuing to help others, as she did in life, was providing them with some consolation.

He said: “If good has come of this, then that has to be it.

“I cannot express how we feel, how comforting it is knowing she lives on somewhere, giving someone else life.”

“It is good to know the money they’ve raised will now go to help other people, the charities will be chosen by the people.”

The cash crusade began in her home village of West Auckland within hours of friends and family learning she was seriously ill in Spain.

They initially raised enough money for her three sons Jonathan and Michael Hubery and Dylan Curtis to fly out to be by her side in hospital.

The money kept coming in thanks to events such a social night at Tindale WMC, a sponsored march from Bishop Auckland to West Auckland and a bag pack in Tesco Extra at St Helen Auckland.

Aware that some families have faced bills of £6,000 to £8,000 to have a loved one repatriated, supporters expected the funds would be needed to cover those costs and towards her funeral, which was held on Friday.

Mr Ruddy, 46, said: “Nobody round here has that much money and we were panicking a bit, thinking we’d have to get loans to get her home.

“After the organ donation we were told the costs were waived by the Spanish and we presume that is why.

“It was such a relief, obviously we are very grateful.”

The change in fortunes meant that thousands of pounds raised for and in memory of Mrs Proudfoot, including at a Stars in their Eyes event held yesterday at West Auckland Working Men’s Club, where she used to work behind the bar, can be donated to charities.

Mr Ruddy, an electrician, said: “The community were doing all these things to raise money because Donna was so well known and loved and we couldn’t stop them.

“The support we’ve had off people has been completely overwhelming, nobody expected her to go out there and not come back alive but I cannot explain how phenomenally supportive people have been.

Shortly before she died, Mrs Proudfoot asked for money for cancer charities in lieu of Christmas gifts. She was inspired by her mother Norma Ruddy, 74, who has been cancer free for a year, so it is likely some of the funds will go there.

Mr Ruddy said: “I like to think she is still looking out for us all.

“She will live on in her children, her children’s children, all her friends and their kids, through the money raised in her name for charity and because she was an organ donor.

“It has also made us think about organ donation, I will definitely be joining and getting a donor card.”