Inspirational fundraiser and terminal cancer sufferer Jane Tomlinson has been praised by Tony Blair as she entered the final week of her 4,200-mile Ride Across America for charity.

The mother of three received the Prime Minister’s best wishes in a hand-written letter delivered to her in Washington during the latest stage of her journey from San Francisco to New York.

Mrs Tomlinson, who has so far raised around £1.25 million through a series of challenges for charities, said she was now beginning to relax as she felt the end was in sight and she would be back with her family at her home in Rothwell, Leeds, next week.

In his letter, the Prime Minister wrote: “Dear Jane. Well done on all your fundraising efforts. It’s a fantastic achievement. Good luck, Tony Blair.”

Sitting outside the White House, Mrs Tomlinson said: “It’s good to be here. It’s symbolic for me that we’ve got here on the day that we needed to arrive in order to finish the ride on Friday.”

The 42-year-old was joined by around a dozen members of staff from the British Embassy in Washington for the latest leg of the ride.

“It’s been good that they could join me and give me a bit of company,” she said.

“The overwhelming feeling is one of relief. It’s relief that the end is in sight - I’ll be home with the rest of my family next week.”

Since being diagnosed with advanced metastatic breast cancer, Mrs Tomlinson has raised more than £1.25 million for a series of charities which help cancer patients and children.

Information on her appeal, including a ride diary and details of how to make a donation, can be found at www.janesappeal.com.

© Copyright Press Association Ltd 2006, All Rights Reserved.

CHICAGO: Hundreds of people took to Lake Michigan today to help raise money for leukemia research. They were participating in the 10th Annual Leukemia Cup Regatta.

CBS 2’s Suzanne Le Mignot spoke with a cancer survivor who took to the water this morning to raise money to find a cure.

This is 38-year-old Travis Wilhite. Looking at him, you’d never think just two years ago, he was fighting for his life. He was diagnosed with incurable Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Right now, he’s in remission.

“I realized at that point, that you know what, in order for me to continue to live like this,” said Wilhite, “to really cash in on the gift that I got of my cancer, that I needed to go out and help other people so they don’t have to go through that.”

Travis along with his wife and friends are taking part in the 10th Annual Leukemia Cup Regatta organized by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They’re among the more than 600 people setting sail on Lake Michigan for the six-mile race.

There are more than 80 boats in the race. Each owner has collected donations. The goal is to raise at least $175,000, with the money going towards finding a cure for lymphoma and leukemia.

Before he set sail, Wilhite had this inspirational message for those battling cancer.

“Keep fighting, hang in there,” he said. “It does get better, I promise. You’re in my thoughts and prayers all the time and I wish you all the very, very best.”

Wilhite says raising awareness and money for cancer research is one of the greatest gifts he will ever leave behind.

In the 10 years the Leukemia Cup Regatta has taken place in Chicago, the event has raised about $1 million for research to find a cure for leukemia and lymphoma.