Oxford News
Oxfordshire woman tops fundraiser list for London Marathon
Tara Kemp, 26, from South Oxfordshire, is preparing to take on the London Marathon this April, in support of Sue Ryder.
She is running in memory of her stepmother Di, a former piano teacher and a staff member at the Oratory Prep School, who died on Boxing Day 2023 at the age of 47.
Ms Kemp said: “Di enjoyed running, she ran the Oxford Half Marathon, and I had always wanted to race with her.
“Taking on the London Marathon felt like the meaningful ‘go big or go home’ choice.
“I know Di would be so proud of me, although she probably wouldn’t quite believe I am actually doing this.
“Di was full of warmth, laughter and made life feel brighter.”
Di was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2019 while Ms Kemp was at university.
When her health deteriorated, the family chose to care for her at home with support from Sue Ryder’s Palliative Care Hub in South Oxfordshire.
Ms Kemp said: “Sue Ryder nurses visited twice a day and supported with the care, allowing us to focus on moments of happiness together.
“They showed her such compassion and would take time to talk to her, giving her a much-needed space to express how she was feeling as she struggled with losing her independence.”
Without their support, Ms Kemp said the family could not have kept Di at home as she wished.
She said: “This marathon is my way of showing gratitude and helping to ensure they can continue supporting families facing similar challenges.”
Despite recent leg surgery, her training is progressing well.
Ms Kemp added: “I’m working in London currently, so I have been able to run around Hyde Park, along the river to Battersea and I can feel my pace improving too.
“I’m starting to get a bit scared about race day, but not because of the physical side of things, more the emotions.
“I think the reason why I am doing this is going to hit me hard, especially when I see my dad and brother along the route.”
She has raised nearly £7,000 of her £7,500 target, making her the top fundraiser for Sue Ryder in the region so far.
A significant portion of the funds came from a fundraising event she organised, which included a live band, a team of friends running the bar and her father serving chips.
Supporters can contribute to her campaign at Tara Kemp is fundraising for Sue Ryder.
The man, in his 50s, was reported as being injured at The Slade just before 1pm on Saturday (April 11).
Thames Valley Police confirmed he was taken to hospital and that a 48-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident.
An eyewitness said they spotted around seven police cars, one critical care unit and an ambulance in the area near the junction with Wood Farm Road.
Photos from the scene show multiple emergency vehicles and someone being put into a police car.
Police said on Saturday afternoon that a scene watch was in place while investigations continue and they have appealed to the public for information which may assist them.
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A police spokesman said: “The force was contacted by the ambulance service at 12.55pm to report a man with injuries in The Slade.
“The man in his 50s has been taken to hospital.
“A 48-year-old man from Oxford has been arrested on suspicion of assault and is currently in police custody.
“We believe this was an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the community.
“There is a scene watch in place to enable our officers to carry out a thorough investigation.
“If anyone has any information or footage from the area and has not already spoken to the force then please speak to an officer at the scene, call 101, or leave any information via our website, quoting the investigation reference number 43260175531.”
The offer is part of a collaboration between Blenheim Estate Homes and the Oxford-based coffee chain to celebrate the new Hill Rise development, a low-carbon community in north Woodstock.
The first 100 customers at Missing Bean location on Saturday April 25 and Sunday April 26 will receive a free cup of ‘Rise & Shine’ when they buy any other full-priced coffee.
Karis McMahon-Lane, property marketing manager for Blenheim Estate Homes, said: “As well as creating a new community with a wonderful lifestyle on offer at Hill Rise, we also want residents to feel part of the wider community, so this is one small way to bring everyone together over a fantastic cup of coffee!”
Hill Rise is designed to be an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly development, featuring shared green spaces, community facilities, and walking and cycling routes that link directly to Woodstock town centre.
The ‘Rise & Shine’ blend features beans sourced directly from farms in Mexico and Brazil.
Olly Wilkins, marketing director at Missing Bean, said: “We love being a part of daily life in Woodstock, serving lovely regulars and enthusiastic visitors alike, so we were thrilled when we heard that the local community is about to get even bigger!
“This exciting collaboration, including the unique Rise & Shine blend, is an ideal opportunity to offer something special and new to our loyal customers whom we hugely appreciate.”
The George at Upton, in Reading Road near Didcot, was taken over by its current owners in 2024.
It has been described as ‘modern, light and contemporary, but still retaining a traditional feel’.
The pub was visited by Vale of White Horse District Council Environmental Health team on March 4.
Reporting issues with the management of food safety, the inspector on the day gave a one-out-of-five food hygiene rating to The George at Upton.
READ MORE: Lorry overturns on Oxfordshire A43 roundabout with driver trapped
The section relating to management of food safety includes systems or checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat, evidence that staff know about food safety, and the food safety officer has confidence that standards will be maintained in future.
The inspector deemed this needed ‘major improvement’.
Hygienic food handling and cleanliness and condition of facilities and building were rated as ‘generally satisfactory’.
In a recent Facebook post, The George at Upton said its kitchen had recently undergone a ‘deep clean’.
The post said: “A busy week for us here at The George, both inside and out.
“Inside, we’ve had a big kitchen upgrade, overnight deep clean and installed lots of shiny new things for our kitchen team.”
The George at Upton has been contacted for a comment.
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