BS: Cancer heroine's wish comes true

Subject: BS: Cancer heroine's wish comes true
From: Emma B
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 08:43 AM

Let me state from the outset that I agree with the findings of a survey of UK teachers last year that found an unhealthy obsession with celebrity culture was damaging students' academic success and that too many children simply "wanted to be famous for being famous".

As one primary school teacher from Scunthorpe, said: "Too many of the pupils believe that academic success is unnecessary, because they will be able to access fame and fortune quite easily through a reality TV show."

However, the survey also found that many 'celebrities' could also be inspirational

It seems timely therefore to promote this news item which does not seem to have received much attention


"The city of York is going to host a 10km run in Jane Tomlinson's honour.
The run is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 2.

Jane Tomlinson campaigned tirelessly for charity, after she was diagnosed with incurable cancer in 2000. Jane died in September, 2007.

Jane's various fundraising endurance activities, included running in three London Marathons, the New York Marathon and three London Triathlons.
She also undertook three long distance bike rides (John O'Groats to Land's End, Rome to Home and, most dauntingly of all, a ride across the USA).
The last ride took 63 days and saw Jane cover some 3,700 miles. After the ride she said: "I thought it was going to be a bit of an adventure but it turned out to be a bit of an ordeal."

To date, the Jane's Appeal fund has raised over £1.85 million.

The two times Sportswoman of the year was awarded the MBE (2003) and the CBE (2007), in light of her courageous fundraising efforts, as well as other awards including most inspirational woman in the UK (2003)."

Subject: RE: BS: Cancer heroine's wish comes true
From: MBSLynne
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 11:59 AM

Everyone who dies an untimely death deserves a bit of sadness, especially those with small children to leave behind, but at least if you have done something like Jane there is a good reason for publicity and fame. Why do we hear so much breast-beating for those who have done nothing to deserve either our grief or their own celebrity, apart from dying?

Subject: RE: BS: Cancer heroine's wish comes true
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 07:18 PM

Hear Hear.

Subject: RE: BS: Cancer heroine's wish comes true
From: s&r
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 07:36 PM

This is in addition to the existing Leeds 10k which Jane founded.

A brave woman.

Stu