Lucy Bowden said her mother, Jeanne Chattoe, showed “extraordinary strength and courage throughout her life” which included helping to raise over £300,000 for a local cancer charity.

Ms Chattoe was the founder of Witney in Pink Day, which has been held annually over the past 25 years and raises money for Abingdon-based charity Against Breast Cancer.

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It sees the town turned pink with biodegradable pink balloons, a pink car parade and pink-themed shop windows, and has raised more than £300,000 across the past two and half decades.

Ms Bowden said: “She fought cancer with incredible bravery, surviving breast cancer and kidney cancer on four previous occasions.

Jeanne Chattoe at her independent clothes shop Renaissance in 2015 (Image: Andrew Walmsley)

“This fifth time, the cancer had spread to her bones, but she faced every challenge with dignity, resilience and determination.

“She was deeply loved by so many people and will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, strength and the love she gave to her family and friends.

“Her loss leaves an enormous hole in the hearts of all who knew her. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by love, with her family by her side.”

Alan Townsend and Gerald Cooper of Clarkson’s Farm at the Witney in Pink Day with Jeanne Chattoe (Image: Rachel Lane)

Mrs Chattoe’s fundraising efforts began after her younger sister, Delia Winkler, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1982 aged 30.

Unfortunately, the cancer returned seven years later, and she sadly passed away aged 41.

Mrs Chattoe described feeling ‘helpless’ and turned to supporting research as a way to make a difference.

In 2023 she was named in the King’s Birthday Honours and presented with the British Empire Medal for her fundraising achievements.

Jeanne Chattoe, founder of Witney in Pink Day (Image: Supplied)

Others have also expressed their sadness at the death of Ms Chattoe.

Family friend, Denise Barkley first met the campaigner 30 years ago when she interviewed Ms Chattoe for an article in the Oxford Mail.

Pink Day team, from left Sandy Bradshaw, Sue Mulliss, Laura Hounam, Denise Barkley, Jeanne Chattoe (Image: Supplied)

She said: “We immediately hit it off and I shared her vision as my Mum died from breast cancer too.

“Jeanne was so inspiring and committed, and she persuaded me to join the charity’s Witney fundraising team.”

Ms Chattoe ran vintage fashion shop, Renaissance, in Witney and met much of the town through her work.

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Ms Barkley added: “We, her fundraising team-mates, will miss her beyond words but are determined to take Witney in Pink Day forwards in her memory.”

Others to express their sadness include local councillor Andrew Coles who was at Blenheim Palace when Ms Chattoe was presented with her British Empire Medal.

“She really was a Witney legend,” he added.

Councillor Ruth Smith, the leader of Witney Town Council, said: “Such a loss. She started something amazing in the town that will live on.”

A student at Henley College has died and two other young people are being treated following an outbreak of meningitis in Reading.

One of the cases has been confirmed as meningitis B (MenB), which was the same strain behind a cluster of fatal cases in Kent earlier this year.

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Close contacts of the cases are being offered antibiotics as a precaution, the the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said, as it reassured that the risk to the public currently remains low.

The student who died went to Henley College in Oxfordshire (Alamy/PA)

In a statement issued on Thursday, the UKHSA said that its specialists were “working with local authority and NHS partners following three cases of meningococcal infection (meningitis) in young people in Reading”.

The student who died in the latest outbreak in Reading attended Henley College in Oxfordshire, the Hart Surgery in Henley-on-Thames said.

“Dear patients. We have been in contact with the UK Health Security Agency this morning (14th May) regarding the very sad news that a student at Henley College has died with suspected meningococcal disease,” the GP surgery said in a statement.

“They have confirmed that they are actively contacting those who may be at risk due to a close association with the student involved.

“If you have not been contacted by the UK Health Security Agency, then currently you do not require any treatment. Staff and students have been advised they can attend the college as usual.

“The number of confirmed cases is very low so there are currently no plans for a local emergency meningitis vaccination programme.”

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Two students died in a meningitis outbreak in the Kent area in March – 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, who was described by her family as “fit, healthy and strong” before her death, and a University of Kent student.

File photo of a nurse during a disease outbreak (PA) (Image: PA)

Dr Rachel Mearkle, consultant in health protection, said: “We understand that many people will be affected by this sad news and would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family of this student.

“Students and staff will naturally be feeling worried about the likelihood of further cases, however meningococcal meningitis requires very close contact to spread and large outbreaks as we saw in Kent recently are thankfully rare.

“We are working closely with partners and have provided public health advice and precautionary antibiotic treatment to close contacts of the cases.

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“Meningococcal disease does not spread easily and the risk to the wider public remains low.”

Meningitis Now’s chief executive Dr Tom Nutt said: “Everyone at Meningitis Now is deeply saddened and concerned to hear reports of a suspected outbreak of meningitis affecting young people in Reading and the surrounding area, including the tragic death of a young person.

“We would urge people to remain vigilant and aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease. Meningitis can become life-threatening very quickly and early diagnosis and treatment are absolutely vital.”

Thames Valley Police said the banner hanging at the front of the Army Cadet Hall in Friday Street, Henley, was cut down by unknown offenders before being placed by the front door of the hall.

The incident occurred between Wednesday, May 6 and Saturday, May 9 last week.

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Police, file photo (Image: Police)

The police community support officer for South and Vale issued an appeal to locals who may have seen or captured footage of the incident.

A spokesperson for the force said: “If you have ring doorbell or dashcam, could you check to see if it covers the hall and kindly check any footage.”

The community support officers said they will be in the area next week and will knock on the doors of neighbouring properties to see if anyone saw what happened.