The community is rallying around to support a ‘beloved’ karate instructor who is receiving palliative care for advanced cancer.

Paul Coleman’s students from the Oxford Karate Academy have so far raised nearly £3,500 for his family.

The 67-year-old was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer more than 10 years ago and has undergone several rounds of intense treatment.

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Roxanne Selby, who set up for an online GoFundMe page said: “Paul has recently been very poorly due to advanced cancer.

“We his students love him dearly and while we hope to have him for a bit longer yet.

Oxford Mail:

“Paul has a unique ability to connect with people of all backgrounds.

“He has touched the lives of so many people from so many places all over the world for so very many years - from karate students in the 1970s to the present day; to people throughout Oxford.”

Mr Coleman is being cared for in the Katharine House Hospice near Banbury.

He is a blackbelt in karate and in July 2022 he took eighth Dan Seiwakai in Japan, which made him the highest graded non-japanese fighter in Seiwakai worldwide.

The Oxford Karate Academy was founded in 1974 and Mr Coleman took over the running of it in 1975.

The academy has since produced more than 100 blackbelts and Mr Coleman has taught and competed internationally in Karate.

Mrs Selby explained that Mr Coleman was very keen for Oxford Karate Academy to continue its success.

She said: “Paul is still involved in overseeing the classes at Oxford Karate Academy, which are being run by Senseis Joe Bennett and Sensei Hkanhpa Sadan with the assistance of other senior black belts. 

Oxford Mail: Paul Coleman, 57, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer

“Paul also participated via Messenger Video in a grading of Oxford Karate Academy’s newest black belt, Charlie Lovell, aged 22 which was held in the Berinsfield dojo a couple of weekends ago.

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“He presented the black belt to Charlie after the grading in the Critical Care Unit of the Horton Hospital in Banbury.”

The karate instructor has two sons, Aaron aged 29 and Blade, aged 11 and a younger brother Ray, aged 62.  

Mrs Selby said: “We and Shihan and his family are hoping that people far and wide will give generously.

"All the money will go towards having a celebration of his extraordinary life and a truly fantastic send off that we will all remember forever.

“All money raised will be transferred after Shihan Paul’s death to his little brother, Roy, to go towards funeral expenses.”

If you would like to donate to Mr Coleman’s fundraiser, you can access the GoFundMe page here.