All roads lead to Rio as cyclists celebrate Jane Tomlinson's life in style

Ten years after the late Yorkshire charity fundraiser defied the debilitating effects of aggressive cancer and a broken pelvis to complete a gruelling ride across America, Mike Tomlinson will celebrate his wife’s memory with a 3,000-mile journey to Brazil.

He will be joined by TV presenter Charlie Webster and two former rugby league players, Keith Senior and Paul Highton, who will be cycling on behalf of the sport’s charity, Rugby League Cares as well as the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, which has so far raised over £8m for good causes.

The adventurers will head off from the Olympic Stadium in London on June 27 and plan to average 90 miles a day over the next six weeks on the road to Rio, arriving at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio for the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympics on August 4.

From London, they will pedal to Portsmouth to catch a ferry to Le Havre in France, before setting out on a 1,231-mile ride through testing terrain to Lisbon. The team then flies to Recife in the north east of Brazil and venturing along the 1,600-mile coast road to Rio de Janeiro.

“Jane set off to cycle across the USA on June 29, 2006 at a time when she knew her cancer was aggressive and in its final stage. Her success was testament to her incredible mental strength,” said Mike.

“The Appeal, and we as a family, wanted to mark this milestone in a special way. As Jane was an ambassador for the 2012 London Olympic bid, it seemed appropriate to celebrate her life by cycling to Rio.

“Hopefully, the challenge will help us raise some money, but we also hope that by reminding people about Jane’s journey, it will inspire other people – and show just what can be possible with courage and determination.”

The Ride Across America proved to be the final challenge for Jane Tomlinson, who succumbed to cancer in 2007 aged 43 having made headlines across the world by taking part in a series of epic tests.

Before she died, Jane raised £1.8m for good causes and the appeal fund set up by her family has gone on to raise a further £6m for children’s and cancer charities across Yorkshire and the UK.

Sheffield-born TV presenter Charlie Webster said: “Jane showed complete determination and courage throughout her diagnosis and if I can have an ounce of that courage then I know I’ll be fine.

“It’s going to be a long, hot journey, but as a sports fan, the thought of cycling into Rio gives me goose bumps and doing it for such an amazing cause makes it even more special.”

A share of the money raised from the Rio Challenge will also go to support Rugby League Cares, a charity which aims to enrich the lives of people who are, or have been involved in the sport.

Former Leeds Rhinos, Sheffield Eagles and Great Britain player Keith Senior said: “It’s great to have this opportunity to raise funds for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, Rugby League Cares and the Sheffield Eagles Include Foundation, of which I’m a trustee.

“Rugby League Cares does a lot of good work to help players succeed in their life after sport and I’m delighted to be doing the Rio Challenge on their behalf.”

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