UK search for every Kirsty launched by girl, 11, with tumour

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,”