Kirsty Waugh from Royal Tunbridge Wells has started a country-wide campaign, including in Oxfordshire, calling on people to join her on a quest for Kirstys.

The 11-year-old aims to find all her namesakes while helping raise vital funds for OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity, supporting urgently needed research into kinder, more effective treatments for children.

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People across the UK are encouraged to add themselves to the growing community of Kirstys on the mynameiskirsty.com website with celebrities including presenter Kirstie Allsopp, badminton player Kirsty Gilmour and children’s author Kirsty Applebaum already on the list.

So far 8,393 people named Kirsty (or an equivalent spelling) have been found across the country but only nine in Oxford.

Kirsty Waugh (Image: Mat Waugh)

Further afield in Oxfordshire, Kirstys have also logged themselves in Abingdon, Wallingford, Didcot, Wantage, Bicester and Banbury.

This comes after Kirsty was not included in the 100 most popular girl baby names in 2025.

Kirstie’s dad, Mat, said: “Every time a Kirsty or a supporter is added to the map, and every donation made, gives Kirsty a lift. It’s such a difficult time for her and us as a family.

Kirsty Waugh with Kirsty Gilmour (Image: Mat Waugh)

“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.”

So far more than £66,000 has been raised for OSCAR’s paediatric Brain Tumour Charity, set up 12 years ago in memory of nine-year-old Oscar Hughes from York. 

All of this will be spent on projects to find better treatments.

The growing map of Kirstys for Kirsty Waugh’s campaign (Image: Mat Waugh)

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

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

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She 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.”

Those who do not have the name Kirsty have also been encouraged to support the campaign by becoming a ‘friend of Kirsty’.

On the campaign website, she said: “My name is Kirsty. I’m 11, and I’m sorry you don’t have the best name in the world. But I still want your help,”

The 50-year-old comedian, turned actor and podcaster, is facing trial this summer over allegations of rape and sexual assault made against him by six women.

He is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court at the delayed October 12 hearing for three charges of rape, three allegations of sexual assault, and one charge of indecent assault

Mr Brand, who was once married to Katy Perry and denies the charges, which date from 1999 to 2009, spoke about his actions on the YouTube show of Megyn Kelly, a US journalist, calling himself “selfish” and an “exploiter of women”.

He said: “In Europe and the United Kingdom, where I’m from, the age of consent is 16, and I did sleep with a 16-year-old when I was 30.

“When I was 30, I was a very different person.

“I was a lot younger, and I was an immature 30-year-old.

“Consensual sex with a lot of people, when there is a strong power differential, as there is when you are a famous man who has the ability to attract women that I had at that time, I think involves exploitation. I think it is exploitative.

“I recognise that my sexual conduct in the past was selfish and I did not apply enough consideration, barely any I suppose, really, to how that sex was affecting other people.”

The 50-year-old began his career as a comedian before bagging a presenting role on MTV.

He has also starred in Big Brother, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek, Arthur and Rock of Ages.

Shelley Hallam has been named as the victim of the crash on April 8 involving a silver Honda Jazz and a red Mini Cooper.

The 60-year-old was a passenger of the Mini Cooper, being driven by a 59-year-old man and joined by another man, aged 28, who was sat in the rear seat.

Both suffered injuries described by police as minor and have since been discharged from hospital.

Shelley Hallam (Image: Family handout)

However, Ms Hallam died of her injuries six days later while in hospital on April 14, police said on Thursday afternoon.

Her family said in a statement issued via Thames Valley Police: “We are all completely in shock at the sudden passing of Shelley.

“She was the most kind and amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She was courageous and strong, and always thought of others before herself.

“She was inspirational and had such a positive impact on everyone whose life she touched, however fleetingly.

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“There are no words that can describe the loss we all feel and she will be desperately missed.”

“Her family are being supported by specially trained officers,” Thames Valley Police’s spokesman said.

The crash happened at the junction of Rye Hill and Tadmarton Road in Wigginton Heath, between Chipping Norton and Banbury.

A woman in her 20s from Chipping Norton has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving a motor vehicle otherwise in accordance with a licence. She has been released on police bail.

Emergency services, including South Central Ambulance Service and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, attended the scene.

The road was initially closed to enable emergency treatment and recovery, and officers later re-attended on April 15 to carry out further specialist investigative work.

The road was closed for several hours during this time.

Investigating officer detective constable Melissa Wells, of Thames Valley Police’s serious collision investigation unit, urged witnesses to get in touch to help with the investigation.

She said: “This is a tragic incident in which a woman has sadly lost her life. Our thoughts remain with her family at this incredibly difficult time.

“We are continuing to carry out a full and thorough investigation to establish the circumstances of the collision, and we are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who saw either vehicle in the moments leading up to it, to please come forward.”

Anybody who witnessed the collision or who was driving in the area at around 6.50pm on April 8 and may have dash-cam footage is urged to contact Thames Valley Police either by reporting online or by calling 101, quoting reference 43260170542.