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Remembering Jane Tomlinson

Last Modified: 04 Sep 2007
By: Nick Martin, Jon Snow

Jane Tomlinson, who raised more than £1.25m for charity after her breast cancer was diagnosed, has died at the age of 43.

"Massively out of character" - the reaction of Jane Tomlinson's family when she suddenly took up gym membership a few weeks after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was told she had just six months to live. That was seven years ago.

She went on to perform astonishing athletic feats: marathon after marathon, cycling from coast to coast right across America, raising more than one and a quarter million pounds for charity.

Jane Tomlinson died last night. She was a remarkable woman who will be remembered for her courage, conviction and sheer determination.

Her husband and three children said they were heartbroken, while Gordon Brown called her a "daily inspiration" to a generation.

Jane Tomlinson's life was about so many firsts - told she had six months to live in 2000, she took out a gym membership and became the first person to run the London marathon while having chemotherapy.

That was just the beginning - among so many other triumphs, she was the first woman with incurable cancer to complete an Ironman - a swim, 130 km cycle and full marathon.

Her philosophy was to be an inspiration, and in the process, she also raised money for charity - her initial goal of £100,000 far surpassed - £1.25m the total now - for cancer charities and hospices.

Last year Jane Tomlinson spent a gruelling nine weeks cycling 4,200 miles across America - believed the greatest endurance feat ever attempted by someone with terminal cancer.

The prime minister praised her amazing spirit and strength, as friends and colleagues paid tribute to the woman who finally lost her battle with cancer last night.

Supported to the end by her husband and three children, Jane Tomlinson once said she had defied the odds because she had "an unfinished job to do as a mum".

'The weight of this burden has been immense on all of us, but primarily Jane. We hope that she is now at peace from the pain that has accompanied her for so long.'
Statement from Jane Tomlinson's family

Today her husband and children paid tribute to their wife and mother.

In a statement they said: "We are, as a family heartbroken, at this loss but we know this extends to all her family and friends.

"Jane has always said her family has been the greatest joy in life and we feel honoured to have been blessed with such a wonderful person.

"The weight of this burden has been immense on all of us, but primarily Jane. We hope that she is now at peace from the pain that has accompanied her for so long."

Jane's charities

Sparks - medical research into conditions affecting babies and young children.
Macmillan Cancer Support - improving lives of people affected by cancer.
Martin House Children's Hospice, Leeds - care and support for families with children with short life expectancies.
The Paediatric Acute Services at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust - where Mrs Tomlinson became a radiographer.
Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice, in Doncaster - child-focused service of respite and palliative care.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, America - encourages brilliant, creative and energetic young scientists to take on the challenge of defeating cancer.

Donations, made payable to Jane's Appeal, can be sent to Yorkshire Building Society, 46-48 Commercial Street, Rothwell Leeds LS26 0AW. See www.janesappeal.com for more information.