‘Emotional’ Paralympic veteran hails event

The former Paralympic athlete, who knew Mrs Tomlinson, said the number of people taking part was a tribute to her and husband Mike, and added the money raised would make a “huge difference”.

She said: “As a trustee, it’s great to be part of spending that money and make sure that it is spent in way Jane would have wanted.

“It’s not just about the elite athletes, it’s also the people who take part year in, year out to raise money for charities.

“I love the fact that you get a huge variety of people from the very accomplished club runners to the people who are just getting round the course, Thinking about them, I get very emotional.”

The medal-winner, who competed for Great Britain in five Paralympic Games, was part of the team which has helped bring the event to London.

She will be commentating and presenting for the BBC both during the Olympics and Paralympics and said yesterday’s event gave a taste of the kind of atmosphere people could expect when the games get under way.

She said: “People here today are wearing the colours of their chosen charities, but in London, people from all over the world will be wearing their national colours.

“I think with the Jubilee and now the Olympics, people are feeling proud to wear Great Britain’s colours and I think this year’s events are helping people claim the flag .

“We want to see people coming out and supporting our team, like they have come out here today. To be with other people and enjoy that atmosphere and feeling.”