11-year-old Kirsty Waugh from Royal Tunbridge Wells has launched a UK-wide fundraising campaign calling on people across the country to join her on a quest for Kirstys, including here in Northamptonshire.

Kirsty’s aim is to find all her namesakes nationwide while helping raise funds for OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity, supporting urgently needed research into kinder, more effective treatments for children.

Kirsty was diagnosed with a brain tumour in November 2024 and is currently receiving weekly chemotherapy.

After more than a year of treatment, her next course of chemotherapy is expected to continue for approximately 80 weeks.

Kirsty is looking to track down every Kirsty or Kirstie in the country, including here in Northamptonshire

placeholder image — Kirsty is looking to track down every Kirsty or Kirstie in the country, including here in Northamptonshire

The fun campaign aims to turn national attention into meaningful action and consideration of what children like children have to go through when diagnosed, by encouraging people across the UK to add themselves to the growing community of Kirstys and supporters on the mynameiskirsty.com website.

Kirsty said: “Treatment is tough for all kids with brain tumours - I’ve lost a lot of hair, had blood transfusions, gone to hospital a lot and that’s why research needs to be done to find kinder treatments.

"Only 3p in every £100 of government funding into cancer research goes to help children like me.”

The campaign has already identified more than 7,500 people named Kirsty or Kirstie and has raised more than £66,000 for OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity, set up 12 years ago in memory of nine-year-old Oscar Hughes from York.

The idea gained momentum following a meeting with Kirsty Gilmour, the UK’s number one badminton player, who became the campaign’s first official ‘find’ after the pair met at the All England Badminton Championships.

Other supporters include presenter Kirstie Allsopp who surprised Kirsty when she appeared on BBC Breakfast, Kirsty Gallacher, children’s author Kirsty Applebaum, Davina McCall (who underwent brain tumour surgery in 2024) and Heart FM’s Jamie Theakston, who featured Kirsty on his show.

The appeal is now focused on reaching more Kirstys and Kirsties across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England, as well as anyone who wants to support children affected by brain tumours.

There are also Kirstys as far afield as Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica involved.

However, Kirsty hasn’t had much luck in Northamptonshire yet, with only 96 found so far.

It has been calculated that there are likely to be more than 400 in the county so Kirsty is asking Northants Telegraph readers to help out with her mission.

Kirsty’s dad, Mat, said: “Every time a Kirsty or a supporter is added to the map, and every donation made, it gives Kirsty a lift.

"It's such a difficult time for her and us as a family.

"It is amazing that she will be responsible for helping to fund research, but it is doubly-amazing that people are taking time out to think of her and put a big smile on her face when she needs it most.”