An organisation which supports children and young people after the death of someone close to them has been chosen as the official charity partner of the Birmingham Publicity Association.
Winston's Wish, which is based in Cheltenham and Sussex, helps children across the UK and will benefit from two years of fundraising activity by the BPA.
Jo Harrington, who died in 2020 aged just 48, was a supporter and member of the association for over a decade, including as its chairwoman in 2013, and was known throughout the local media industry.
Her charity of choice was Winston's Wish as she lost her mum at the age of 13 and so the association has decided to recognise this by supporting the charity she was so passionate about.
BPA chairman Mark McDonagh said: "We were all devastated to lose Jo in 2020 and we made sure at our last event just before Christmas we all raised a glass for her and shared memories about our friend.
"We are able to raise thousands in our activities throughout the year which are then donated to our charity partner at the Christmas event and so this is another way we can continue her legacy and help bereaved children in the Midlands."
The BPA has also decided to name the charity fund that gets donated to each year as the ‘Jo Harrington Fund' with the blessing of Jo's family.
Mr McDonaugh added: "This will mean that we will all be able to remember Jo in our own way and know that her contribution to helping people will go even further. She was such a generous and selfless person, that this was entirely fitting."
Jo's sister Nina said: "We as a family are immensely proud and grateful of this lasting legacy that the BPA has organised in Joanne's memory.
"Giving to those whose needs are more was at the very ethos of everything Jo did and stood for, this is a perfect way to continue her purpose.
"It hit Jo hard when we lost our mom at such a young age. The BPA supporting ‘Winston's Wish' in this way, by raising money to help other young children like herself to heal and refocus without their loved one around, is the best tribute that Jo herself and her family could have wished for."
Winston's Wish's chief executive Fergus Crow added: "We are honoured that the BPA has chosen to support Winston's Wish for the next two years in Jo's memory.
"We know that there are over 257,000 children who live in Birmingham and that, sadly, statistically one in 29 five to 16 year olds are bereaved of a parent or sibling in the UK. This equates to approximately 8,800 grieving children in your city who need our help.
"Having the support of the association to raise not just funds but awareness of the support available for children, young people and those who care for them across the West Midlands is a huge opportunity for us."
BPA's previous charity partner, Acorns Children's Hospice, received a total of £22,5000 via its partnership which was extended to three years because of the covid pandemic.
