CANCER sufferer and charity fundraiser Jane Tomlinson has died, following a seven-year battle with the disease.
The 43-year-old mother-of-three, who was given a CBE in June, defied doctors to raise £1.75 million through a series of gruelling challenges.
But her brave fight ended at 9pm last night at St Gemma's Hospice in her home city of Leeds.
Mrs Tom
linson's determination not to give in after being diagnosed with incurable breast cancer seven years ago made her a national inspiration.
She dedicated her life to raising money for charity, and went on to complete in events including the Great North Run, London Marathon and the Ironman UK Triathlon.
Her final challenge was a nine-week, 4200-mile bike ride across the United States. She became very ill from progressive liver cancer during the ride, and decided to spend more time with her husband Mike and their children Suzanne, Rebecca and Steven.
The family said today: "Everyone who knew Jane felt there was invincibility about her, but we always knew that this day was inevitable. As a family we are humbled to have lived with such a great person who we will always love.
"Seven years ago her aim was to leave us with fantastic memories. None of us expected how fantastic those would be."
Mrs Tomlinson was told in 2000 her metastatic breast cancer was incurable and that she had just six months to live. Her family said: "No-one was more surprised than us when she took out a gym membership in October 2000, a few weeks after the terminal diagnosis. It seemed, on the face of it, massively out of character.
"It became the norm for her to complete one marathon or triathlon after another.
"Everyone became aware of her achievements and we hope as a result so the expectations of what can be achieved by the terminally ill have been raised."
The family mentioned two events in particular that stood out as remarkable.
In November 2004, she became the world's first woman with incurable cancer to complete an Ironman, which involves a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and a full 42.2km marathon.
The family said: "Jane's fierce courage and inner strength achieved what should not have been possible."
And they praised her "selfless decision" to continue her Ride Across America challenge when she became ill, rather than return home for immediate treatment.
Co-riders Ryan Bowd and Martyn Hollingworth said today: "Jane exemplified qualities of the human spirit that most people can only aspire to."
The Prime Minister Gordon Brown today praised her "amazing spirit and strength".
He said: "The whole country will be greatly saddened by the death of Jane Tomlinson and our thoughts are with her husband, her three children and all her family and friends."
• Donations, made payable to Jane's Appeal, can be sent to Yorkshire Building Society, 46-48 Commercial Street, Rothwell Leeds LS26 0AW. See
www.janesappeal.com for more information.
