A TALENTED young artist with a passion for running has been remembered by loved ones after losing her battle with cancer.

Josie Kemp, from Hove, who completed a total of 21 park runs after having chemotherapy, died on Wednesday, January 17.

The 21-year-old took part in the series of runs in the build up for Race For Life 2014 at Stanmer Park, while raising money for Cancer Research.

Josie passed away unexpectedly after having a small operation at The Royal Marsden hospital in Chelsea, just two days before she was due to turn 22.

Josie was a bright pupil who was educated at Cardinal Newman School in Hove and then Lancing College, achieving grade A and A* in her photography and art A-levels, before leaving there in June 2015.

She achieved the results despite losing the autumn term due to having to go for cancer treatment.

Josie returned to Lancing College to work with the art department and help teach pupils.

She was especially interested in passing on her passion for ceramics during her time there.

Josie, developed a benign tumour at a young age, which she had removed when she was just eight.

It returned years later as an aggressive form of cancer.

Josie remained stable for the last two years of her life after a series of treatment.

Her family made plans to put on a display of her artwork at her funeral service in the college chapel.

Josie is survived by her father David, mother Annie and brother Tom, 19.

The Teenage Cancer Trust provided Josie with a lot of medical support during her fight against the disease.

The Hove Park Parkrun organisers will be dedicating their annual St Patrick’s Day run to the charity on March 17, where Josie will be remembered.

Paying tribute to his daughter, David Kemp said: “I think she had the potential to be a fashion genius.

“She had met Dame Vivienne Westwood and Grayson Perry.

“She had been very influenced by them.

“We are very proud of her and of what she achieved in her short life against huge odds.

“She rarely told people about her cancer as she did not want to be defined by it.”

Mr Kemp took part in a special park run around Hove Park in memory of his daughter on February 3.

He was joined by about 150 other runners for the commemorative event.

They all aimed to finish running the 5km course in 29.25 minutes to pay tribute to Josie’s personal best for the distance.

Running in the “Josie Train”, Mr Kemp completed the course in 29 minutes and 25 seconds.

The train of other runners finished with a time of 29 minutes and 59 seconds.