Kirsty, 11, seeks more Kirstys to help raise money for brain tumour research
Eleven-year-old Kirsty Waugh from Kent is leading a campaign to raise money for paediatric brain tumour research by connecting with others who share her name. She has already enlisted over 10,000 'Kirstys' worldwide through an interactive map, helping to raise more than £75,000. While undergoing chemotherapy for a benign but inoperable brain tumour, Kirsty finds strength and distraction in her fundraising efforts.
- ▪Kirsty Waugh, 11, is raising money for paediatric brain tumour research by connecting with people who share her name.
- ▪Over 10,000 people named Kirsty or variants of the name have joined her campaign from around the world, including Antarctica.
- ▪The campaign has raised more than £75,000, and participation is open to both Kirstys and non-Kirstys.
- ▪Kirsty is undergoing chemotherapy for a benign brain tumour that cannot be surgically removed.
- ▪Her father, Mat Waugh, developed an interactive map to expand the campaign globally after exhausting local connections.
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Kirsty Waugh is seeking other Kirstys ‘because they’re the best people, because it’s the best name’. Photograph: Anna Gordon/The GuardianView image in fullscreenKirsty Waugh is seeking other Kirstys ‘because they’re the best people, because it’s the best name’. Photograph: Anna Gordon/The GuardianKentKirsty, 11, seeks more Kirstys to help raise money for brain tumour researchKent schoolgirl tracks down 10,000 namesakes as part of campaign – but non-Kirstys are welcome to donate tooEsther AddleyMon 4 May 2026 09.00 EDTLast modified on Mon 4 May 2026 09.01 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleCalling all Kirstys! A schoolgirl from Tunbridge Wells in Kent is seeking people who share her name to help raise money for research into paediatric brain tumours like the one for which she is being…
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