 Jane Tomlinson received an MBE in recognition of her charity work |
The heroic fundraising efforts of terminal cancer sufferer Jane Tomlinson has been recognised by her home city. Mrs Tomlinson, 41, from Rothwell, was made a freeman of Leeds at a civic hall ceremony on Friday.
The mother-of-three has been honoured after raising more than a �1m through a number of gruelling challenges.
She said: "This is a huge honour and has taken me by complete surprise. I am proud to say wherever I go that I come from Leeds."
Council delight
In the course of her fundraising, Mrs Tomlinson has run the London Marathon three times, competed in two London Triathlons and cycled 2,500 miles from Rome to Leeds.
She retired from public fund-raising after completing the "ultimate" challenge - the full Ironman in Florida.
Mrs Tomlinson has won a host of awards for her fund-raising and received an MBE in 2004.
She joins Nelson Mandela, Leeds international piano competition organiser Dr Fanny Waterman and former politician Merlyn Rees as a freeman of Leeds.
Andrew Carter, leader of Leeds City Council, described Mrs Tomlinson as "an example to us all".
"I am delighted that Jane has accepted our invitation to become a freeman of the city," he added.
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