Jane’s appeal, the charity set up by the late Jane Tomlinson CBE, has exceeded its £2 million target and set a new goal of raising £5 million.
Jane was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990. Over the following decade she battled the disease but it continued to spread. In 2000 doctors told her she had only months to live but she was determined to not give in. Jane spent the next 7 years fighting cancer with numerous rounds of chemotherapy whilst also taking part in a series of unbelievable challenges.
Jane, a mother of three from Leeds, completed multiple marathons, triathlons, Iron Man contests and many long distance cycle rides, including a tandem ride from Rome to Leeds and a bike ride across America, from San Francisco to New York. She used the events to raise a huge amount of money for charity, and also to show that people diagnosed with a terminal condition can still lead an active and positive life.
Jane was forced to withdraw from competition in 2006 but spent her remaining time building a legacy event – the Leeds 10K ‘Run For All’. It is now a yearly event which attracts over 10,000 participants and aims to raise £500,000 for good causes.
When Jane sadly lost her battle with cancer in 2007, she had already raised over £1.8 million, benefitting many children’s and cancer charities including Macmillan Cancer Relief, SPARKS, Damon Runyon Cancer Research, Yorkshire Cancer Centre, Martin House Hospice, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and Hannah House. Jane’s Appeal has now broken its £2 million target, more than 400 times its initial aim.
Jane’s husband, Mike Tomlinson, and their children Suzanne, Rebecca and Steven, are “committed to continuing the work Jane started” and in July 2008 Mike and Rebecca took part in the End2End Cycling Challenge – a 1,300 bike ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End. They also continue to support her “Run For All” legacy, which has proved so successful that there is now a York 10K as well as Junior and Mini Fun Runs starting this year. There are still a few places left if you’d like to join in.
Jane was one of Justgiving’s biggest ever fundraisers and we all continue to be amazed and inspired by her courage and achievements. She has shown what an incredible impact one person can have on so many lives. If you want to support Jane’s Appeal you can either donate to her personal page or directly to the Jane’s Appeal page.
Tags: Jane Tomlinson, Jane's Appeal, macmillan, Run For All, SPARKS