South Oxfordshire Woman Prepares for London Marathon in Touching Tribute
A woman from South Oxfordshire is gearing up for her debut at the TCS London Marathon this April, and she has already made a significant impact by raising nearly £7,000 for Sue Ryder. Tara Kemp, aged 26, is running in memory of her step-mum Di, who was a beloved local figure as a teacher at Oratory Prep school and a private piano instructor. Tara fondly remembers Di as someone full of warmth and laughter, who always made life feel brighter and more joyful.
Inspired by a Passion for Running
Although Tara admits she is not a natural runner, she was deeply inspired by Di's own enthusiasm for running, including her participation in the Oxford Half Marathon. Tara shared, "Di enjoyed running, and I had always dreamed of racing alongside her. Taking on the London Marathon felt like the perfect, meaningful challenge—a 'go big or go home' decision. I know Di would be incredibly proud of me, even if she might not quite believe I am actually doing this."
A Journey Through Illness and Care
Di was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2019 while Tara was attending university. When the cancer spread again, Di encouraged Tara to pursue her travel plans, despite Tara's desire to stay close to home. However, when Di's health deteriorated rapidly, Tara made the decision to fly back immediately to be with her. Tara explained, "Family means everything to us; we are very close, and I wanted to be there for her during such a difficult time."
The family aimed to care for Di at home, where she could be surrounded by loved ones rather than in a hospital setting. This is when the Sue Ryder Nurses from the Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub in South Oxfordshire stepped in to provide crucial support. Tara recounted, "They helped transform our living room into a comfortable space with everything Di needed. The nurses visited twice daily, offering care that allowed us to focus on creating happy moments together."
She added, "They showed immense compassion, taking time to talk with Di and giving her a much-needed outlet to express her feelings as she grappled with losing her independence. One nurse in particular brought Di hand-painted rocks, which inspired us to start our own tradition of collecting stones at the beach—a lasting reminder of her spirit."
A Heartfelt Tribute and Fundraising Success
Di passed away on Boxing Day 2023 at the age of 47. Tara reflected, "Without Sue Ryder's help, we wouldn't have been able to care for Di at home, surrounded by love and family. Their support and kindness meant everything to us, and this marathon is my way of showing gratitude and helping ensure they can continue assisting other families facing similar challenges."
Despite facing a setback due to leg surgery, Tara reports that her training is progressing well. She said, "I'm currently working in London, so I've been running in Hyde Park and along the river to Battersea, and I can feel my pace improving. I'm starting to feel a bit nervous about race day, but more due to the emotional aspect than the physical challenge. I think the reason why I'm doing this will hit me hard, especially when I see my dad and brother along the route."
Tara has raised nearly £7,000 towards her £7,500 target, making her the top fundraiser for Sue Ryder in the region so far. She expressed amazement at the rapid growth of her fundraising total, noting, "It's incredible. A significant portion came from a fundraiser I organised, where a friend's brother's band performed, my dad and his friend handled food service, and my friends managed the bar. It was a lovely evening and a true team effort."
Additional donations have poured in through her JustGiving page, including an anonymous gift of 200 euros. Tara also received a touching message from one of Di's former piano pupils, who shared memories of Tara's brother playing around the piano during lessons.
Support on Race Day
On marathon day, Tara will be cheered on by her dad, brother, Di's family, her mum, and friends. She added, "Seeing familiar faces on the course will give me a boost, and it's reassuring to know that Sue Ryder staff and volunteers will be there too, cheering me on. Di was the most wonderful woman, and I'm running this marathon for her—for the challenges she embraced and the joy she brought to life. I know she'll be with me every step of the way."
