Race from Calne to raise funds
2:00pm Thursday 20th September 2012 in News By Lewis Cowen
A run over downland between Devizes and Calne on Sunday will raise cash in memory of a Bromham mum who died last year after a cancer battle.
The Blackland Downs Challenge, setting off from Blackland Health Club in Stockley Lane, Calne, at 11am, will raise money for Brain Tumour UK in memory of Julie Kember who died in January 2011, aged 44, leaving her husband and two children.
Mrs Kember, who lived all her life in Bromham, was a hairdresser married to Ady with children Ryan, 20, and Ellie, 12. She was diagnosed with a brain tumour in December 2009.
She was treated at Royal United Hospital in Bath and Dorothy House Hospice.
Her neighbour in Bromham, Steve Moxham, chose Brain Tumour UK as the recipient charity of The Blackland Downs Challenge in tribute to Mrs Kimber.
Mr Moxham, who works at the Blackland Health Club, said: “Julie was a good friend to so many people in Bromham so it was decided to set up a trust in her name to benefit good causes.
“We chose Brain Tumour UK because Julie was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
“Although the 10k run starts at 11am, there is a walk as well, starting at 10am. We want families to be able to take part, so children can come along on the walk.”
St Nicholas Church, Bromham, was full for Mrs Kember’s funeral on February 8 last year.
Bromham vicar, the Rev John Rees, said: “Julie was a remarkable woman. People looked forward to having their hair done by Julie. They loved talking to her about their lives, sharing their joys and troubles.”
Born in Green Lane maternity hospital in Devizes, Mrs Kember grew up in Minty’s Top, Bromham. She went to St Nicholas Primary School and Fynamore School in Calne. On leaving school, she worked at Top Set hairdressers in Bromham before starting up her own mobile hairdressing business.
While her children were growing up, she was a dinner lady at St Nicholas School and a member of the Parent Teacher Association.
Entry to Sunday’s run is £7 for affiliated runners and £9 for unaffiliated. The children’s walk is £5 a head.
