Why we exist
The Jane Tomlinson Appeal helps children to be happier and healthier and improves the lives of people living with cancer
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
£1,866,000
Jane astonished people worldwide by conquering an incredible series of challenges which would have tested even the fittest of people – and that seemed impossible for someone with incurable cancer. Her incredible efforts raised almost £2m.
Jane's achievements that year
April – becomes the first person receiving chemotherapy to complete the London Marathon
May – named Yorkshire Woman of Achievement
July – chosen to present the Jubilee Baton to the Queen
October – completes the Great North run in 1hour 51mins
December – presented with the Helen Rollason Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards
£1,866,000
Jane astonished people worldwide by conquering an incredible series of challenges which would have tested even the fittest of people – and that seemed impossible for someone with incurable cancer. Her incredible efforts raised almost £2m.
Jane's achievements that year
March – cycles 1,300 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats on a tandem with brother Luke Goward
April – completes the London Marathon again – just weeks after finishing her epic cycle ride
May – cancer research laboratory at St James’s Hospital in Leeds is named in Jane’s honour
June – awarded the MBE
August – takes part in the Gatorade Half Ironman triathlon – becoming the first person with incurable cancer to complete it
£1,866,000
Jane astonished people worldwide by conquering an incredible series of challenges which would have tested even the fittest of people – and that seemed impossible for someone with incurable cancer. Her incredible efforts raised almost £2m.
Jane's achievements that year
May – takes on an epic Rome to Home cycle challenge, clocking up 2,500 miles
July – receives an honorary doctorate from Dundee University, after being voted for by students
July – completes a triathlon in Salford with her two daughters, Suzanne and Rebecca
October – named Yorkshire Woman of the Year and Yorkshire Sporting Hero
November – becomes the first person with incurable cancer to complete a full Ironman triathlon
£1,866,000
Jane astonished people worldwide by conquering an incredible series of challenges which would have tested even the fittest of people – and that seemed impossible for someone with incurable cancer. Her incredible efforts raised almost £2m.
Jane's achievements that year
January – it is announced that Jane’s fundraising has smashed the £1m barrier
June – receives honorary doctorate from Leeds Metropolitan University
July – serves as an ambassador for London’s 2012 Olympic bid
October – takes on Great North Run with husband Mike
November – completes the New York Marathon in 5hours 15mins
£1,866,000
Jane astonished people worldwide by conquering an incredible series of challenges which would have tested even the fittest of people – and that seemed impossible for someone with incurable cancer. Her incredible efforts raised almost £2m.
Jane's achievements that year
January – takes on the Brass Monkey Half Marathon in York but has to stop at 7 miles after shattering her pelvis
June – starts an epic three month 4,200 cycle ride across the entire width of the USA
October – receives the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Woman of the Year Awards
October – named Yorkshire Woman of the Year
December – voted British Woman of the Year in a YouGov poll
£1,866,000
Jane astonished people worldwide by conquering an incredible series of challenges which would have tested even the fittest of people – and that seemed impossible for someone with incurable cancer. Her incredible efforts raised almost £2m.
Jane's achievements that year
January – announces plans for the first Run For All Leeds 10K
June – it is announced that Jane will receive a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours
June – despite declining health, Jane watched emotionally as over 8,000 people take on her Leeds 10K
November – Jane’s son Steven collects her posthumous CBE from Buckingham Palace
Jane's story
Jane was just 36 when, in August 2000, she and her family received the devastating news she had incurable breast cancer.
A mum of three, Jane was given just six months to live and she and her loved ones were told to prepare for the inevitable.
But, thanks to Jane's remarkable courage, something truly extraordinary was just about to begin.
Over the next seven years, as she defied her diagnosis, Jane went on to achieve what many people might struggle to in a lifetime - surmounting increasingly difficult challenges, capturing the attention of people across the world, and raising over £1.85m for charity.
She also founded what was to become her lasting legacy, the Jane Tomlinson Appeal. To date, through the Appeal and its Run For All events, over £10m has now been raised.
John O'Groats to Land's End
In March 2003, Jane and her brother Luke Goward tandem cycled 1,300 miles from John O'Groats to Land's End.
Jane and Luke averaged 50 miles a day in the saddle on the trip. Incredibly, the challenge involved having to break off twice during the three-week ride so Jane could return home for her weekly chemotherapy treatment.
Days after finishing the journey, Jane completed her second London Marathon.
Rome to Home
Two weeks before setting off, an exhausted Jane had struggled to complete the London Marathon. Now she was facing cycling 2,500 miles from Rome to Leeds in just 36 days.
Summoning incredible reserves, she got into the saddle and average around 100 miles a day – including conquering one of cycling’s most formidable climbs in Mont Ventoux – arriving home to a hero’s welcome.
Florida Ironman
Just a week before Jane took on this truly incredible endeavour, she was so crippled by pain that she could barely walk.
But in November 2004, and despite her deteriorating health and having developed a series heart condition, Jane became the first person with cancer to complete a full Ironman triathlon – a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run. She crossed the finish line in 15hours and 47mins.
Ride Across America
Her final feat saw Jane take on the challenge of a lifetime – cycling 4,200 miles across America. Climbs of 13,000ft, sweltering desert temperatures and gale force winds were among the many obstacles in her path.
By this point, in very poor health, Jane had to dig deeper than ever before to cycle for up 12 hours a day. The money she raised paved the way for the first Leeds 10K.
What we do
The Jane Tomlinson Appeal is the legacy of the late inspirational Jane Tomlinson CBE and exists to support children’s health and wellbeing and to improve the lives of people with cancer.
OWLS children's bereavement care
Support for children who have suffered the devastating loss of someone special, like a parent or sibling.
Kinesio Taping - non-drug therapy
Exploring the benefits of Kinesio Taping – and how it can alleviate pain in people living with cancer.
Children's health and well-being
Programmes to improve the mental and physical health of primary school children in disadvantaged areas.
Early detection of breast cancer
Supporting research into a blood test to detect breast cancer earlier, potentially saving countless lives.
Make a change
Learn more about the difference your donation could make today to each of our four key projects.
Other ways to get involved
There are so many ways to support the Jane Tomlinson Appeal; with friends, at work or by donating your time to volunteer. Follow the links to find out more about each of the different ways you can get involved and start supporting us today!