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Tributes poured in yesterday to British woman Jane Tomlinson, a tireless campaigner who raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity after being diagnosed with terminal cancer and who has died, seven years later, aged 43.
Tomlinson underwent a mastectomy in 1990, and in 2000 was told that her cancer was incurable and that she probably had just six months to live.
Instead of giving in to the illness, she put herself through a series of endurance tests, including marathons, triathlons and a 6760km bike ride across the United States, raising a total of £1.75 million for a variety of causes. She was awarded a CBE for charitable services earlier this year.
Her family announced yesterday that she had died in St Gemma's Hospital, Leeds, and promised to keep up the popular 10km race through Leeds that she began.
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, and we feel honoured to have been blessed with such a wonderful person."
The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, said: "Jane's mission in life was a simple one: to make the most of every day and to help others, and she not only achieved that several times over, but inspired millions of others along the way. We will remember her amazing spirit and strength and that exceptional charity work, and she will be a daily inspiration to fight on against the terrible scourge of cancer."
- Independent
