Terminal cancer sufferer Jane Tomlinson dies

Terminal cancer sufferer and charity fundraiser Jane Tomlinson has died, a family spokesman said today.

Mrs Tomlinson, 43, from Leeds, who raised £1.75 million for charity, died at St Gemma's Hospice, Leeds, at 9pm yesterday.

She was diagnosed with terminal cancer seven years ago but defied her illness - and often doctors' orders - to dedicate her life to raising money for charity.

Today, her husband, Mike, and children, Suzanne, Rebecca and Steven, paid tribute to their wife and mother.

In a statement they said: "We are, as a family heartbroken, at this loss but we know this extends to all her family and friends.

"Jane has always said her family has been the greatest joy in life and we feel honoured to have been blessed with such a wonderful person."

They added: "The weight of this burden has been immense on all of us, but primarily Jane. We hope that she is now at peace from the pain that has accompanied her for so long."

Mrs Tomlinson was diagnosed with breast cancer 17 years ago and told the cancer was terminal in 2000.

Over the last five years, she undertook a series of endurance events to raise money for charity.

Her last - and toughest - challenge was a 4,200-mile bike ride across America, from San Francisco to New York, enduring temperatures of more than 100F and altitudes of more than 11,000ft along the way.

She received a CBE for her work in June this year.