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. 

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 bereavement care

OWLS children's bereavement care

Support for children who have suffered the devastating loss of someone special, like a parent or sibling.

Kinesio taping

Kinesio Taping - non-drug therapy

Exploring the benefits of Kinesio Taping – and how it can alleviate pain in people living with cancer.

Mini Mermaids - OWLs Bereavement Project

Children's health and well-being

Programmes to improve the mental and physical health of primary school children in disadvantaged areas.

Breast cancer blood tests

Early detection of breast cancer

Supporting research into a blood test to detect breast cancer earlier, potentially saving countless lives.