Son to bear flame in fund-raising mother’s memory

THE teenage son of inspirational fund-raiser Jane Tomlinson is carrying the Olympic torch on behalf of his late mother.

Steven Tomlinson, 14, will take his turn on the relay when the torch arrives in Leeds in June. His mother, who died from cancer in 2007 at the age of 43, carried the torch ahead of the 2004 Games in Athens. Steven said: “I’m really excited about being nominated as a torchbearer. I will be doing it on behalf of my sisters and my mum. It should be a great experience.”

Mrs Tomlinson inspired thousands of people with her charity challenges while battling terminal cancer.

The NHS radiographer defied experts and spent seven years raising money for charity through marathons, triathlons, the Iron Man contest, a tandem cycle ride from Rome to Leeds and a bike ride from San Francisco to New York.

She raised more than £1.85 million and her family continues to raise funds for her charity, the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, since her death. She was made a CBE for her work.