Registered charities could receive funding ‘to change more lives’
Jane Tomlinson, who raised £1.8m for charity by completing an extraordinary series of endurance events, despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer(Image: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
The Jane Tomlinson Appeal has announced the launch of a £250K “Big Charity Giveaway”, a significant grant programme designed to support charities across Yorkshire as well as the Midlands and Liverpool City regions. The appeal is set to offer grants up to a maximum of £15,000, providing a significant funding opportunity for an array of good causes.
The new grant round continues the powerful legacy of the late inspirational athlete and fundraiser Jane Tomlinson CBE, whose determination and generosity helped transform lives across the UK and beyond. Over the years, the Jane Tomlinson Appeal has already awarded significant amounts to charities and community projects supporting causes, including cancer care, bereavement services, mental health support and initiatives that improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of children and young people.
This latest giveaway is open to registered charities operating within Yorkshire, along with the Midlands and the Liverpool City region, with successful applicants set to receive funding that could make a real difference to the communities they serve. Mike Tomlinson, Jane’s husband and trustee of The Jane Tomlinson Appeal, said: “Jane was passionate about helping others and with the 2026 Big Charity Giveaway.
“We can continue that legacy and give charities across our regions the opportunity to grow, reach more people and change more lives.
“We’d like to hear from as many charities and organisations as possible. There is no minimum award, and they can bid for a maximum of £15,000 to support a project of their choice.
“They just need to tell us how they will spend it and what benefits it will bring. We would especially like to hear from charities that work with children or cancer patients and their families.
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“They are causes that were obviously close to Jane’s heart, as they are to ours.” Charities are invited to apply for the grants to help sustain, develop or expand their work, with applications closing on February 5.
After this date, all submissions will be carefully reviewed, and those successful will be notified shortly afterwards. Grants will then be formally awarded during the week commencing March 2. To access an application form, organisations are asked to visit the website www.janetomlinsonappeal.com
Jane raised £1.8m for charity by completing an extraordinary series of endurance events, despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer. Since her death, her family have continued her fundraising efforts.
Funds raised for the Appeal go to support four key projects:
- The OWLS Children’s Bereavement Service, working in partnership with Child Bereavement UK to provide therapy and support for children and families affected by the loss of a parent, sibling or significant loved one
- Study days for physiotherapists and nurses to learn about Kinesio Taping (sports taping) techniques and how they might relieve pain in cancer patients
- Co-funding for ground-breaking research, at the University of Nottingham, into how cancer spreads (metastasis). By uncovering the biological processes that enable tumours to migrate and grow in other parts of the body, this work aims to identify new ways to stop or slow progression
- Funding for the M2 school programmes in Hull, Lincoln, Leeds, Sheffield and Derby, to support children with their emotional and physical wellbeing