A WOMAN whose death on holiday inspired a fundraising campaign back home in County Durham would be ‘amazed and honoured’ to see how good causes have been helped in her name.

Cancer charities, a refuge for victims of domestic abuse and a grieving family are among the beneficiaries to share £8,500 raised in memory of Donna Proudfoot.

The mother-of-three, from West Auckland, died after suffering a bleed on the brain whilst in Benidorm, on Spain’s Costa Blanca, to celebrate turning 50.

Friends who began raising money towards her medical treatment continued to do so after her passing to support her family.

But when the medical costs were covered by insurance and the Spanish authorities wavered the repatriation fee, after Mrs Proudfoot’s family agreed to donate her kidneys to help a transplant patient, fundraisers decided to keep going so donations could be made to charities she would have approved of.

Mrs Proudfoot’s brother, Wayne Ruddy, said: “The support we got was a great comfort and it was decided that the people who donated should suggest good causes to support in Donna’s memory.

“She would be amazed and honoured to see how the love people felt for her has led to so much money being raised.

“She would be proud to have helped every one of the causes chosen, that is the good that has come out of the bad.”

The money raised was shared out between six causes.

Money was given to the charities Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support, Stand Up To Cancer and the Great North Air Ambulance.

The family of a little girl from Bishop Auckland who died after a swimming pool accident in Egypt in December also received a donation.

And Wear Valley Women’s Aid, which runs a refuge in Bishop Auckland for victims of domestic abuse, got funds just when it was in need of cash.

Refuge manager Paula Carling said: “The money came it just at a time when we were desperate for new beds so we were able to buy seven beds, mattresses and 28 bedding sets.

“We were absolutely over the moon and it means a lot to the families we help, we try to make life comfortable for residents and this really helps.”

Mr Ruddy added: “We, Donna’s family, would like to thank everyone for all their efforts and support throughout this sad time.”