R.I.P. Jane Tomlinson - The Absolute BEST Of Our British Bulldog Breed ...

From this day on, our planet is a poorer place.

Last Updated: Tuesday, 4 September 2007, 17:20 GMT 18:20 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version

Tributes for 'inspirational' Jane

Jane Tomlinson obituary Tributes have flooded in for fundraiser Jane Tomlinson, after she lost her seven-year battle with terminal cancer aged 43. Family, friends, politicians and the charities that benefited from the £1.75m she raised through a series of gruelling challenges have honoured her. The married mother-of-three died at St Gemma's Hospice in Leeds on Monday. Mrs Tomlinson's family said they were "heartbroken". Prime Minister Gordon Brown said she had "amazing spirit".

Read the rest of this report re; this absolutely lovely lady.

Then please, please read this too. Since the truth is (we'd venture to suggest), it's now the very least one can do.

But first, here are a few tasters to tempt you.

Even though she was in great pain - especially in her bones, neck, hips, back and shoulders - she took part in the London Marathon in April, a triathlon in August and, along with her husband, the Great North Run in October.

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in March 2003, she set out, together with her brother Luke, on a 1060 mile bike ride from John O'Groats to Land's End, stopping twice en route to receive chemotherapy.

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And, almost unbelievably, days after finishing the journey, she completed a second London Marathon before returning to work as a paediatric radiographer.

But more was to come. She completed the gruelling UK Half Ironman triathlon competition in the autumn before collecting her MBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in October.

All in all, she raised more than £1.5 million for Cancer Research UK and other charities.

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In November 2004, she became the only cancer patient to complete a full Ironman triathlon, a daunting feat comprising a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile cycle ride followed by a 26 mile marathon.

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And in the summer of 2006, she crossed the United States, from San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge to Brooklyn Bridge in New York City.

But, despite her smiles at the end of her journey, the mammoth feat - 63 days on a bike, covering 3,700 miles - had left her seriously ill.

She was also disappointed that a lack of interest from the US media meant she only raised £100,000, well short of her expectations.

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If you'd like to donate online (be it a little or be it a lot) to brave Jane's Appeal -- and we dearly hope you do -- please click this link.

This Old Brit and Richard thank you in advance.