Mum Jane taking Stephen Sutton's legacy to new heights

Teenage Cancer Trust supported Stephen through his cancer, and is the only UK charity that exists to offer care and support exclusively to teenagers and young adults with cancer.

Stephen was diagnosed with bowel cancer when he was 15 and passed away in May 2014 aged 19.

Stephen's Story captured the hearts and minds of the nation with his incredible positivity, raising over £5.5 million, and Stephen's Story is still inspiring people today.

We would like to offer our sincerest apologies to Jane Sutton for misreporting on Tuesday that she had been diagnosed with cancer.

There was absolutely no truth in the story. Jane is well and training for her next challenge, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Jane said: "Not a day goes by when I don't miss my brave, brilliant son, but when I think about everything he achieved and how much he's helping other young people, it makes me feel so proud.

"He touched many lives with his positivity, and Stephen's Story will go on.

"So many people say that Stephen inspired them, and none more so than me. With his voice in my ear, I've run a marathon, jumped out of a plane and in a few months, I'll be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

"I'm honoured to call myself an Ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust, and feel privileged to be able to continue to spread Stephen's unique message of positivity. It's fantastic to know that Stephen's legacy is helping other young people going through a similar cancer experience."

Jane has also taken part in numerous local fundraising events in the West Midlands and kept Stephen's Story supporters regularly updated on Stephen's Story Facebook page.

Jane's next challenge will take her on a ten-day trip to Tanzania with Jane set to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on Sunday October 9.

You can support Jane by visiting www.virginmoneygiving.com/climbkilimanjaro or by texting STEPHEN to 70500 to donate £5. Teenage Cancer Trust will receive 100 per cent of your donation.

Jane added: "I'd been invited to speak at a presentation evening at a school in Worcestershire towards the end of last year. I'd been exchanging emails with the school about the event and got chatting with a member of staff who told me how she was taking on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

"I said that sounded like a fantastic opportunity and to let me know how she was getting on with her training.

"I certainly didn't expect a text message two days following the presentation evening, saying there were a few places left and would I be interested in one of them?

"I thought about it for all of five minutes and, other than work, I had no other commitments, so I followed Stephen's advice to seize every opportunity and take on the challenge!

"I find it amazing the knock-on effect of taking part in one activity and how that opens the door to another opportunity. I've seen it happen so many times and I know Stephen witnessed it in abundance.

"I've been training since the start of this year, walking with two groups. The first is a local scout group, which is participating in this month's Chase Walk – an annual 40-mile walk across Cannock Chase in Staffordshire (I hesitate to add I haven't walked anywhere near the 40 miles they are facing!) The second group comprises members of the party I'll be joining up with to climb Kilimanjaro in October and, already, I've made some fantastic new friends.

"My first marathon, The Virgin Money London Marathon, which I completed last April, was a huge challenge for me, particularly as I'm not a runner. The training for that took over my life for five months.

"I'm much more comfortable walking (once I get my boots worn in!) and from the research I've done and people I've spoken with who've climbed Kilimanjaro, one of the biggest challenges will be adjusting and acclimatising to the high altitude.

"I visited Peru a couple of years ago and didn't suffer any undue reaction to the high altitude. However, I'm under no illusions and know that this will probably be the toughest personal physical challenge of my life, but one I'm tremendously excited about," Jane added.

Kate Collins, Director of Fundraising & Marketing at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: "Stephen was the most incredible young man and our report shows how he is helping us take huge steps forward for young people with cancer.

"Jane is every bit as incredible as her son, she simply hasn't stopped over the past two years.

"Her tireless fundraising and drive to raise awareness of cancer in young people is just amazing. She's incredibly warm-hearted and gives her time selflessly to carry on Stephen's legacy.

"I'm always blown away by the incredible passion of our supporters, and it's through the amazing fundraising of people like Stephen and Jane that we will be able to reach every young person with cancer that needs us."