Secondary school girls from across Yorkshire are invited to field teams in the annual Jane Tomlinson Memorial Trophy on Thursday 11 June.

Over 200 girls have already signed up to take part in the event at Leeds Rugby Academy, home of Leeds Rhinos. The trophy was set up in support of the inspirational Jane Tomlinson and as a showcase for the great talent, determination and courage of the girls' rugby league.

Organised by the Leeds Rugby Foundation and supported by English Schools Rugby League, all funds raised from each individual secondary school will be presented to Jane's Appeal.

In recognition of this very special event, now established in the calendar of school girls sport, Brenda Dobek Head England Women's Rugby League Coach, will be attending to meet all female players and present the trophy to the winning team.

The event starts at noon and there are still spaces for and Secondary School from Yorkshire to enter a girls Yr8 rugby league team. Please contact laura.clarke@leedsrugby.com for more information.

Mike Tomlinson and his three children, Suzanne, Rebecca and Steven, have announced that the charity set up by wife and mother Jane has hit the £2m target she set before she died.

Before her death Jane Tomlinson CBE raised £1.85m through a series of incredible physical challenges from 2002 to 2005. Mike has announced that Jane’s Appeal has now raised £2.6m.

Mike said: “Last Saturday would have been Jane’s 45th birthday. It was a sad and emotional day for our family but we could think of no better way to honour her memory than to announce that we have reached her £2m fund raising goal.

“When in August 2000 Jane was told to go home spend some time with her family, create some memories as she was unlikely to live beyond six months, no-one could have predicted what happened next.

“Since then thousands of people have helped us raise well over £2 million pounds for charity - 400 times more than we’d initially hoped!

“Jane’s achievements from 2002 to 2007 were extraordinary. Going through the photos again to prepare for today and to be reminded of just what Jane went through to was painful and tearful experience. Somehow the images are stronger after death. For me two highlights stand out, the Ironman in 2004 and Ride Across America in 2006, I feel privileged to have witnessed them.

“As a family Suzanne, Rebecca, Steven and I are committed to continuing the work Jane started and with the Leeds 10K, York 10K and Junior run we hope we’ve created a vehicle that can make a huge difference to people’s lives. A new target of £5 million has been set, I can’t imagine how we’re going to get there but I know with support we have a fighting chance.

“We have been so lucky over the last few years to be supported by a cast of thousands, people who’ve worked with us, volunteers, media, fundraisers and members of the public; the generosity and kindness have been heart-warming.

The words thank you seem so inadequate but I hope they will be accepted by all who have helped get us to where we are today.”

Anyone can buy an End to End jersey, with a donation from each sale going to the appeal.

Mike Tomlinson and daughter Rebecca have announced plans to ride 1,400 miles in memory of wife and mother Jane and to raise money for Jane’s Appeal.....

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