Sponsored by
Schoolgirl to start Jane's run in memory of cancer victim mother
SCHOOLGIRL Megan Smith will start the Jane Tomlinson's Leeds 10K run this weekend in memory of her mother, who died of breast cancer less than two months ago.
The 10-year-old, from Otley in West Yorkshire, will send the 11,000 runners off in Millennium Square on Sunday in honour of her mother, Sue, who was signed up to take part in the event.
Mike Tomlinson, who launched the charity run with his late wife, Jane, in 2007, asked Megan to help start the race after hearing how she had taken part in a local Race For Life in tribute to her mother, just three weeks after her death.
Megan will start the run alongside a long-standing supporter of the event, the Leeds-born model and presenter Nell McAndrew.
Mr Tomlinson, whose son, Steven, was 10 when his wife died two years ago, said: "When I read Megan's story, I was just really touched.
"It was such a big thing for a little girl to do so soon after losing her mum and when I met Megan I was just bowled over by what a brave and lovely little girl she is."
Megan's mother, who died aged 43 on April 23, was a keen runner and fundraiser and had participated in two previous Leeds 10k events.
Mrs Smith was a learning mentor at St Oswald's School in Leeds and a teacher for Pisces Swimming School. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, just after her 40th birthday
Megan's father, Charlie, 52, a dog trainer with West Yorkshire Police, said: "It will be a big day, but the truth is that there are so many people out there going through what we are and people who will in the future."
Full coverage of this year's event
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
