Charity news: The family of the late Jane Tomlinson CBE will today announce that the charity set up to stand as her fundraising legacy has raised a staggering £7.6million
The money raised has helped scores of charities from children’s hospices, cancer related causes and hospitals across the region continue their vital work.
Before Jane’s death in 2007 she had raised a total of £1.8million through a series of incredible endurance challenges including cycling Rome to Home, running the New York Marathon, completing the Florida Ironman and finally the ‘Ride Across America’.
Today the family are proud to announce that the charity set up in Jane’s name along with its event partner charities have reached this incredible milestone.
Jane was aged 36 when, in August 2000 she and her family received the devastating news that she had been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. Over the next seven years she captured the attention of the world through her achievements as she outlived her initial six month prognosis. With seemingly endless reserves of determination and courage she completed incredible challenges to raise money to help others through Jane Tomlinson Appeal.
One of Jane's motives was to show that people with a terminal prognosis can still lead an active and fruitful life, and proclaimed: "Death doesn't arrive with the prognosis." She proved true to her word and with her uncompromising drive, unwavering determination and supreme bravery Jane provided true inspiration and genuine hope to a great many people.
Jane and her family knew her time was limited and so in 2007 launched Run For All and the Leeds 10K, the first in a series of events to be launched over the next few years to stand as Jane’s legacy.
Now nine years down the line, through its five 10ks, two half marathons, marathon and junior runs Jane’s charity and its event partner charities have raised a total of £7.6million.
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Photo: Jane’s eldest daughter Suzanne
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Jane’s eldest daughter Suzanne said: "I think it’s just amazing that we’ve reached this figure in such a short space of time. It’s a huge amount that it is possible to do so much with. We can help so many people who need support, whether that’s dealing with an illness, a family member who is not well, or someone going through a bereavement.
"I think I’m most astonished at everyone’s support. It’s not been us that has raised this money – it’s been all the people who have participated in the events, given donations, everyone who works for the charity, everyone who volunteers; it’s those people who have done it.
"The goodwill and the kindness of people will never fail to amaze me. I don’t think any of the family thought we would be here, having raised over £7m."
Of continuing her mother’s legacy, she said: "It was never really in question. To see Mum go through all of that, and still help others; not just through raising money but also raising awareness … For mum it was about making sure people realised that even if they are ill, or have been diagnosed with an illness, that you can still do the unimaginable. I think that has helped people, just as much as raising money.
"Being able to carry on her work and being a part of that … you get such a lot back. Seeing people cross the finish line at the events, hearing their stories, it’s just so touching.
"I think Mum would have been amazed and so pleased that all her hard work and determination has made such an impact in so many different ways. I think she would just have had such a big grin on her face if she knew – I think she would find it hard to believe.
"Mum gave so much to others, sometimes at the detriment of herself. It’s humbling that I’m a small part of that and helping to carry it on. I suppose I feel privileged to be my mother’s daughter and that I’m helping to continue her legacy.
"We owe such a big thank you to everyone who has helped over the years – we are just so appreciative of everything everyone has done. It’s been really hard at times, but it’s because of those people that we have carried on. Here’s to £10m … watch this space!"
As Jane did through her challenges, the Appeal continues to support an array of children’s and cancer charities across Yorkshire, Lancashire and Lincolnshire via its grants process.
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Over the years, the Appeal has donated money to a vast number of organisations. The following groups or causes have all benefitted:
17th South West Leeds Scouts; 1st Briercliffe St James Scout Group; 352 Burnley Squadron ATC; Ann Maguire - Leeds community foundation; Bone Cancer Research Trust; Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice; Brain Tumour Research & Support; Breast Cancer Haven; British Red Cross; Burnley Division Guides Burnley Methodist Circuit; Burnley Tornados AFC; Candlelighters; Christchurch Armley Community Project; Clic Sargent; Cliviger Village Hall; Coco; CRUK; Daisy Appeal; Derian House; Dove House Hospice; Downright Special; East Lancashire Hospice; East Lancashire People; First Echoes Foundation; Elliot’s Footprint; Emmaus; Epilepsy Action; First York Boccia; Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice; Friends of Boys walk and Chester Avenue; Gordon Birtwistle Prostate Cancer Scanner Appeal; Greenbrook Methodist Church; Her Breast Friends; Hull Children's University; Hull Churches Home From Hospital; Kidz in Kampz; League of Voluntary Workers for the Burnley Hospital; Leeds Children's Charity, Leeds Hospital Charity; Leeds Mencap; Leeds Rugby Foundation; Leeds West Academy; Leeming Road Playground; Leonard Cheshire Disability; Macmillan; Manorlands Marie Curie; Martin House; Meanwood Valley Farm; Mothers Union Leeds and Ripon Diocese; Myasthenia Gravis Association; National Parks Authority; NHS Leeds Community Fund; NSPCC; Overgate; PACE; Parkinson’s UK; Pendle Dogs in Need; Pendleside Hospice; Peter Pan Nursery; Positive Lifestyle Centre; Pyramid of Arts; Rainbow Pre-School; Rainbows Hospice; Riding for the Disabled-Dyneley Group; RNLI; Rosehill Baptist Church; Rossendale and Pendle mountain rescue; Rossendale Hospice; Roundabout Ltd; Sheffield Hospital Charity; Shine; Smile Foundation; Snappy; Snaps; Sparks; St Cuthbert’s PCC; St Gemma's Hospice; St George's Crypt; St Leonards Hospice; St Luke's Hospice; St Mary's Hospice; St Michaels Hospice; Sue Ryder; Wheatfields Hospice; Sunshine House; Swarcliffe Good Neighbours Scheme; The Catholic Fellowship; The Children's Hospital Charity; The Christie; The Macular Support Group: The Market Place; The Prices Trust; Westhorpe Playgroup; When you Wish upon a star; York Against Cancer; York Blind and Partially Sighted; York Teaching Hospital Charity; Yorkshire Cancer Centre; Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
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Jane extraordinary journey
Listed below our Jane’s incredible achievements and the legacy she has left behind
2002
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January: Brass Monkey York Half Marathon
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April: Jane finishes the London Marathon in 4hours 53mins.
This event also saw the debut of Paula Radcliffe
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May: Yorkshire Woman of Achievement Award
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July: Presented Jubilee Baton to the Queen
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August: London Triathlon – Jane finishes 20th in age group
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October: Great North Run – 1 hour 51 mins
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November: Special Recognition Award at Yorkshire Awards
Unsung Hero award from the Celebrities Guild of Great Britain
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December: Helen Rollason Award at BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
Outstanding Achievement Award at the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Sports Awards
Helen Rollason Award at Sunday Times of the Year Award
Runner-up in the Sky News Awards Heroism Award
2003
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January: Brass Monkey York Half Marathon
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March: Cycled 1,300 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End
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April: First person to run the London Marathon whilst undergoing chemotherapy
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May: Naming of the Jane Tomlinson Laboratory at CRUK’s Clinical centre at St James’ Hospital, Leeds
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June: Awarded MBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours list
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July: Salford Triathlon
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August: Yorkshire Day Awards, Special Award
Honorary Award of Doctor of Civil Law at Huddersfield University
London Triathlon, UK Half Ironman Triathlon – First terminal cancer patient to complete a half iron-man
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October: BUPA Great North Run
Voted Most inspirational woman in Britain by SHE magazine
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November: Honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University
2004
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January: Brass Monkey York Half Marathon
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April: London Marathon
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May: Rome to Home – Jane and brother Luke cycled 2,500 miles
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June: Honorary Doctorate, Dundee University; nominated by students for her exceptional bravery and selflessness in the face of adversity.
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July: Salford Triathlon with daughters Suzanne and Rebecca
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August: London Triathlon. Gatorade Half-Ironman UK Triathlon
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September: Jane attempts Nice half Ironman triathlon but misses the cut-off time for the run.
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October: Frink Award at the Woman of the Year Awards
Yorkshire Woman of the Year
Yorkshire Sporting Hero Awards
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November: Full Ironman – Florida, USA. (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike & 26 mile run in 15 hours and 48 mins) First cancer patient to complete full Ironman
Helen Rollason Award at Sunday Times Sportswoman of the year Award
2005
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January: Named Great British Campaigner in the Morgan Stanley Great Britain Campaigning Category
Jane announces that she has raised £1,500,000 surpassing her fundraising target of £1 million
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May: Jane made a Freeman of Leeds
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June: Honorary Doctorate, Leeds Metropolitan University
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July: Ambassador for London’s bid to host the Olympics in 2012
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October: BUPA Great North Run with husband Mike
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November: New York Marathon – 5 hours and 15 mins
2006
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January: Brass Monkey York Half Marathon – pulled up after 7miles with a fractured pelvis.
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June to September: Ride Across America - 4,200miles. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco to Brooklyn Bridge, New York
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October: Outstanding Achievements Award – Woman of the Year awards.
Yorkshire Woman of the Year
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December: YouGov poll voted British woman of the year
2007
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January: Inaugural Leeds 10K launched
Honorary degree - Hull University
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June: CBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours List
Jane sets off 8,000 runners in the first Leeds 10K raising over £400,000
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October: Receives ‘Special Award’ at Yorkshire Sports Awards’
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November: Jane’s son Steven collects Jane’s posthumous CBE at Buckingham Palace
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December: YouGov Poll voted British Woman of the year 2007 – second successive year
2008
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January: It’s announced the inaugural Leeds 10K raised £413,586
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April: Jane’s daughter Rebecca runs London Marathon
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June: Leeds 10K – 11,000 people take part
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July: Rebecca and Mike repeat Jane’s 2003 End to End cycle challenge – 1,300 miles
2009
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January: Inaugural York 10K launched by Steve Cram and Tomlinson Family
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February: £2million fundraising target reached
Leeds Mini and Junior runs launched
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May: First Mini and Junior Fun run – Leeds
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June: 3rd Leeds 10K
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August: Inaugural York 10K – 5,000 participants
2010
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May: Mini and Junior Fun Run – 1,000 free places for children
Inaugural Hull 10K
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June: Paula Radcliffe joins runners in completing the 4th Leeds 10K, whilst 6 months pregnant
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July: Inaugural Pennine 10K
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August: 2nd York 10K
Mike, Rebecca, Steven and team ride 2500miles in five weeks completing the Istanbul to Leeds Bike Ride
2011
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February: Clare Balding launches the Yorkshire Dales Walking Festival
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May: 3rd Leeds Mini and Junior Run
2nd Hull 10K
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June: Inaugural Yorkshire Swimming Festival
Matt Dawson joins runners for the 5th Leeds 10K
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August: 3rd York 10K
Suzanne takes part in Channel Relay swim challenge
Inaugural Yorkshire Dales Walking festival
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December: First ‘Run with Chrissie’ event with Appeal patron and Four time World Ironman Champion, Chrissie Wellington
2012
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April: 10th Anniversary Challenge. Mike, Rebecca and a team of 10 complete Paris Marathon, cycle 600 miles from Paris to Yorkshire to London and finish by running London Marathon in 8 days
Inaugural Peak District Walk held in Hope Valley
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May: Run For All takes over ownership of Leeds Half Marathon
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June: 3rd Hull 10K
Yorkshire Swimming festival
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July: Leeds 10K reaches its 6th year
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August: The York 10K forms part of the city’s 800th Anniversary year
Yorkshire Dales walking festival returns
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September: Inaugural Lake District Walking Festival
2013
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January – Launch of Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon
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February – For All Events & JTA Awards Night
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April – 2nd Peak District Walk
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May – Leeds Half Marathon back for a 2nd year under Run For All
5th Hull 10K
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June – Pennine Lancashire 10K returns after three years to a new route in Burnley
Jeff Brown raises £10,000 completing the Pennine 10K
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July – 7th Leeds 10K
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August – 5th York 10K
Yorkshire Dales Walking Festival
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September – Aquathlon joins Yorkshire Swimming Festival
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October – Inaugural Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon
2014
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April – City of York Triathlon partnered with JTA
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May – Leeds Half Marathon & Mini and Junior Run
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June – 6th Hull 10K
£10,000 BIG GIVE AWAY – Lancashire
Pennine Lancashire 10K
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July – 8th Leeds 10K
10th Anniversary Rothwell Harriers Canal Run
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August – 6th York 10K & Mini and Junior Run
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October – 2nd Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon
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