INSPIRATIONAL. It was the word everyone used when they talked about Jane Tomlinson. From world leaders to ordinary people, it was the word which summed her up perfectly.

During her seven-year battle against cancer, the mother-of-three inspired more people than it is possible to calculate.

People such as Nicki Embleton, from North Yorkshire, who was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. It was Jane who helped her to be positive during the illness, to carry on working, to deal with her hair falling out after chemotherapy.

"Jane was my lead and my inspiration," said Nicki.

And those words will have been repeated around the world yesterday as news broke of Jane's death at 43.

She could easily have been overwhelmed by the disease much earlier, Instead, she chose to take part in marathons, triathlons and bike rides spanning thousands of miles.

The £1.75m she raised has, of course, been a godsend to cancer charities. Her greatest contribution, however, was not the money but the touching of lives, the raising of awareness, the demonstration that life is to be lived to the full and obstacles are to be overcome.

Our thoughts today are with Jane's family: husband Mike and children Suzanne, Rebecca and Steven who shared her extraordinary life and will miss her terribly.

But they should be extremely proud and consoled by the fact that she helped so many people through her determination and courage.

Jane Tomlinson - she was simply inspirational.