Interview - Rebecca Tomlinson: Spot the family resemblance as Rebecca rises to the challenge

You have to do a double take when you meet Rebecca Tomlinson. She has always had a resemblance to her late mother and champion fund-raiser Jane but with her hair cut boyishly short the similarity is striking.

"I wanted to get it cut short for our bike ride earlier this year from Istanbul to Leeds as I knew it was going to be very hot.

"I was going to do it myself but in the end went to the hairdressers and told them to cut it short without making me look like a boy. I have to say when I looked in the mirror I was a bit shocked – I think I might let it grow out again now."

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I interviewed Rebecca two years ago, a year after the death of her mum from breast cancer, as she was preparing to cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats with her dad, Mike, to raise money for her mum's charity, Jane's Appeal.

Then she was a student, with long blonde hair and still living at home in Rothwell with her dad and younger brother Steven.

Two years on and Rebecca has changed a lot and not just because of the hair do.

Still looking far younger than her 22 years with not a scrap of make-up she has somehow grown in confidence.

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She has finished university and started work as challenge fund-raising co-ordinator for St Michael's Hospice in Harrogate. She has also left home and lives in Horsforth with her boyfriend Ash, whom she met on the Land's End to John O'Groats cycle ride.

"Ash works for Leeds Met (University) and they helped with support drivers on the bike ride. Ash was one of the volunteer drivers."

Rebecca has never minded being compared to her mum. The similarities don't end with their looks. According to Mike, Rebecca has the same fiery and competitive nature as her late mum; something she doesn't dispute.

It was Rebecca who introduced her mum to running.

Jane lost her seven-year battle with breast cancer in 2007 but not before launching Jane's Appeal and raising nearly 2m by competing in triathlons, an Ironman challenge and famously cycling across America despite being in constant pain.

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Her legacy lives on in the form of a series of 10k runs started by Jane and continued by her family.

This week sees the official launch of the Leeds 10k which was the original event but has been followed by runs in York and Hull.

And earlier this year Rebecca, Mike, Steven and other members of the Tomlinson family returned from the epic 2,500-mile cycle ride from Istanbul to Leeds taking in 12 countries.

"It was tough," say Rebecca. "The heat was bad – 45 degrees in some places – all we could talk and think about was food."

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Although Rebecca is still involved with Jane's Appeal she says that a lot of her time now is focused on helping St Michael's.

"It is a new post and when I saw it advertised I thought it sounded appealing to me. It combines my love of sport, helping people and fund-raising. I am really happy; it is a very rewarding job.

"Some people would find it hard to be working in that environment; But St Michael's isn't where mum died. I probably would have found it difficult in St Gemma's, but I do think it's good to have an understanding of what people are going through."

Despite having left home, family is still very important to Rebecca.

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"Suzanne (her elder sister) and I still mother Steven a bit and nag him to brush his teeth but he is getting more independent.

"Dad is doing fine, although there never seems to be any food in the fridge other than yoghurt."

Mike is still very involved in Jane Appeal, but Rebecca says she

doesn't worry that the charity stops her dad moving on.

"He really enjoys it. It is whatever makes him happy. He does get out with his friends and he goes to watch Burnley play and goes to gigs with Steven, who is getting more and more like dad."

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Rebecca was only 12 when Jane's cancer came back for a third time so it has always been a part of her life. But unlike other children grieving

for a parents, Rebecca is constantly reminded of the mother she has lost as her picture is everywhere during their epic challenges.

"That doesn't really bother me. Some people get worried about forgetting the person that has died; that's not likely to happen to us.

"I do still miss her," she says frankly.

"But it's different to how it was a few years ago; the sense of grief is not as strong.

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"It is still hard at times. I have just learnt to drive and I know it is something she would be proud of."

She says she tries to keep the work she does for the two charities which are key in her life separate.

Most involve some sort of gruelling challenge or another all in the name of charity including marathons, the Three Peaks, triathlons and possibly an Iron Man Challenge in 2011. Does this remind you of someone else?

The Yorkshire Post is once again Media Partner for the Jane Tomlinson Run for All 2011 event which takes place on Sunday, June 19, starting at 9am in Leeds City Centre. Visit www.runforall.com for more information.

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