A CHESTER photographer is to feature on a Mother’s Day card sold in Tesco across the nation to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Sadly Jane Mann, from Blacon, lost her fight against cancer on January 18, but her husband David and family still want to share her inspirational story.

Jane’s story and photograph are included on a card designed by Hallmark which is on sale in all large Tesco stores. It is hoped the card and Jane’s story will connect with and support people affected by the disease, as well as raising funds.

Tesco is celebrating its 20th year of partnership with Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life- a series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events, which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.

Money raised through Race for Life events funds world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.

Jane was originally diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1991 when she was a single mum bringing up her young daughter Jessica.

Jane was aged just 30 and had hoped to have more children, but the recommended treatment at the time was a full hysterectomy.

She took up running and started her own fitness company. She was a regular face at Race for Life events in Chester and led the aerobic warm-up for many years.

Jane’s life was touched by cancer again when her husband David was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012 and needed radiotherapy.

David made a good recovery and the couple loved spending time with Jane’s daughter Jessica and David’s daughters Cordelia and Davinia. They were also proud grandparents to six grandchildren.

Jane took up photography as a hobby which became such a passion that she sold her fitness business and became a freelance photographer, especially loving taking portrait shots of new-born babies.

The couple enjoyed travel and bought a motor home, travelling all over Europe. It was in Portugal in 2019 when Jane started to experience problems with swallowing.

Following tests back in the UK, Jane and David were devastated and shocked when she was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

Jane had a 10cm tumour which doctors wanted to shrink with chemotherapy before surgery. She began a gruelling course of chemotherapy which she described at the time as “feeling like she was under attack”.

She had the complex oesophagectomy surgery six weeks after the chemotherapy in December 2019 which involved removing a rib and collapsing a lung to be able to pull her stomach through her diaphragm and join it up to what was left of her oesophagus.

Jane recovered well from the 12 hour surgery and when lockdown allowed last year, the couple continued to enjoy time abroad in their motor home.

Sadly, Jane’s health took a turn for the worse at the start of 2021 and she sadly died aged 60 on January 18.

Husband David was keen for Jane’s story to be included on the Mother’s Day cards as she touched so many people’s lives and was a well-known personality in Chester.

He said: “Jane was passionate about Race for Life, so she still would have wanted her story to be shared on the Mother’s Day card.

“I miss Jane every day. But feel blessed that she was in my life. She was an extraordinary individual and achieved a great deal in her life.”

Oonagh Turnbull, head of charity campaigns at Tesco, said: “We hope these cards will inspire others facing cancer and the money they raise will make a difference to so many lives.

“For the last 20 years, our partnership with CRUK has helped to raise millions of pounds for life-saving research and our stores continue to take part in events and work hard to ensure it goes from strength to strength.”

People across the North West are being encouraged to look beyond lockdown by making a date to join Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. The charity’s much-loved events are aiming to return to the town/city but with socially distanced measures to help keep participants safe.

COVID-19 has caused a devastating loss of research funding. Cancer Research UK is predicting a staggering £300 million drop in income over the next three years which could put future medical breakthroughs at risk.

Jane Bullock, Cancer Research UK spokesman for the North West, said: “We are incredibly grateful to David and Jane’s family.

“Jane was a well known face at Race for Life events in the North West and will be very much missed.

“And we are also grateful to Tesco for their support.

“By signing up to Race for Life, people can make a real difference in the fight against cancer. All 400 mass-participation Race for Life events across the UK were cancelled last year to protect the country’s health during the COVID-19 pandemic. So this year, more than ever, we need people to come together and help beat the disease.

“The truth is, COVID-19 has slowed us down. But we will never stop and we are absolutely determined to continue to create better cancer treatments for tomorrow."

The Mother’s Day cards which are priced from £1 are on sale in large Tesco stores until March 14.

To enter, visit raceforlife.org