Video: Matt Dawson set to boost children's charity in Leeds 10k run

FORMER rugby player Matt Dawson was in Leeds on Tuesday to announce formally he will be taking part in this year's Jane Tomlinson Leeds 10k run.

The former England scrum half will be running the event in the city on Sunday, June 19.

He said: "I met Jane a few years ago when the England team were training and she came to talk to us. As she always said, there are hundreds of thousands of people just like her but she was just that bit special. She made people sit up and listen and inspired them and had a tremendous aura about her."

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"To be able to help her charity and family out and help her legacy is a real honour - she touched people all over the nation," he added.

"I've done the marathon and the Bath half marathon and so I've trained for these kinds of runs before."

Dawson will be representing the children's charity Sparks at the Leeds 10k.

Yesterday he said: "I've been involved with Sparks for around 20 years and I think they're an amazing charity.

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"They're one of those charities that have shown such commitment to good causes over the years and they really show us 'celebrities' up with the amount of effort and time they give. It's one thing turning up to an event or a dinner once in a while, but these people's efforts are tireless," he said.

Jane Tomlinson's Leeds 10K is organised by the Jane Tomlinson Appeal which raises money for children's and cancer charities. To date over 3m has been raised and Jane's family are determined to continue the great work she started.

Jane, from Leeds, was diagnosed with incurable cancer in 2000. Despite her pain and illness she participated in a number of high profile endurance challenges to raise money for charity, including a number of marathons

The Yorkshire Post is a media partner in the Jane Tomlinson Leeds 10K. For details of how to enter and more information visit www.runforall.com

See tomorrow's Yorkshire Post for a full interview with Matt Dawson on life off the pitch.

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