YORKSHIRE heroine Jane Tomlinson has been a truly inspirational figure in Huddersfield – and when she received her honorary degree at the town’s university it was an event no-one who was there will forget.
Mum-of-three Jane – known worldwide for her amazing fund-raising feats after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer – died on Monday evening in a Leeds hospice.
She became an honorary doctor of Civil Laws at Huddersfield University in 2003 – and the response she received was overwhelming.
Prof Mike Page, the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “At the end of the presentation to Jane the audience spontaneously stood and applauded her. It was one of the most moving ceremonies I have ever attended. Jane was an inspiration to all of us all.”
It was an impromptu, spontaneous and heart-felt response from the audience.
Jane will also be remembered in Huddersfield for opening a new GP practice.
She opened the Grange Group Practice on Spaines Road in Fartown in February 2004 after receiving a moving letter from practice manager Sue Perkins whose 28-year-old son, Matthew, had died from Hodgkins Lymphoma.
Matthew was a good athlete and Susan thought it would be wonderful if Jane could open the surgery.
Susan, of Slaithwaite, said yesterday: “This is a very sad day for all of us. Matthew died on August 24, 2003, so it was already an emotional time of the year for me.
“Matthew was a runner too until he became too ill to carry on, but followed the fund-raising Jane did with awe.’’
After initially being diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 26, Jane had a mastectomy and was so inspired by the treatment she decided to become a radiographer and worked at Leeds General Infirmary. The cancer returned in 2000 and doctors told her she had six months to live.
But she was determined to prove them wrong and decided to do all she could to raise charity money in the time she had left.
Since then she took on a series of endurance feats which have raised more than £1.5m for charities close to her heart.
Her last big challenge was a 6,781km ride across America – a far cry from her first race which was a 5km Race For Life in May 2001.
She rode through Holmfirth in 2004 as part of a 1,900-mile charity bike ride across Europe and was awarded the CBE and MBE among 15 awards for her charity efforts.
One of the most moving tributes came from the Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Rev Arthur Roche. He said: “Jane was a bright beam of light in the midst of a darkness that can so often accompany terminal illness.
“Her memory will live on in this city and what she bore so bravely will continue to benefit and influence those who face their own mortality to do so with such courage and calmness.”
A book of condolence has opened at Leeds Civic Hall.
Jane leaves a husband, 45-year-old husband, Mike, and children Suzanne, 21, Rebecca, 19, and 10-year-old Steven.
