A MOTHER who won the nation's hearts by defying terminal cancer to complete the London Marathon and cycle the length of Britain has thanked the people of York after receiving thousands of pounds from fundraisers.

Jane Tomlinson, from Leeds, appeared yesterday at the Marks & Spencer store in Pavement, York, to receive a cheque for £13,000 from York fundraisers.

The campaign was organised by Gordon d'Andilly, manager of the store.

Jane said: "It's fantastic that this money has been raised, thank you to everybody who has worked so hard to help out.

"It has been such an encouragement to know there are people like you all, out there supporting us.

"It is with the efforts of people like Gordon and lots of other people who have helped us so much along the way that we can manage these things. Thank you."

The fund was donated thanks to staff from Marks & Spencer, Asda, Tesco and Brown's stores.

Events ranged from a fancy dress pub treasure hunt, a static bike ride matching Jane's cycle tour from John O'Groats to Land's End, and a Bank holiday fun weekend.

Retired staff from Marks & Spencer returned to the store, raising thousands in-store this week just from customer collections.

Gordon organised the campaign after his wife, Shirley, was diagnosed with breast cancer, the couple having met Jane when they shared the same consultant.

Since starting the fundraising efforts, Shirley's condition sadly deteriorated and she died six weeks ago, but Gordon was determined to continue the efforts for Jane's Appeal.

Gordon said: "We got to know Jane and her husband, Mike, and she really is a lovely, lovely woman.

"When I spoke to her about the tour from John O'Groats to Land's End I asked her just what was she doing, but then I realised there's always a need for more funds, and more people to try and fight this thing.

"I am obviously pleased, to have raised £13,000 in such a short space of time is clearly an achievement, the only thing now is that there is always a little bit more you can do, so watch this space."

Updated: 10:45 Saturday, April 26, 2003