Fund-raising cancer sufferer Jane Tomlinson dies

LONDON, Sep 4 (Reuters) Jane Tomlinson, a cancer sufferer who raised over a million pounds for charity through a series of gruelling sporting events including marathons and long-distance cycle rides, has died, a family spokesman said today.

Tomlinson, 43, from Leeds, was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer in 2000 and given six months to live. She died yesterday evening.

She single-handedly raised 1.5 million pounds, gaining worldwide support and in June was made a CBE.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown was among those who paid tribute to the mother-of-three.

In a statement, 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.

''We will remember her amazing spirit and strength and that exceptional charity work, and she will be a daily inspiration to our generation to fight on against the terrible scourge of cancer.'' REUTERS PD BD1605