Only 29 in the city have answered the national call from the 11-year-old
Kirsty Waugh is trying to find women and girls called Kirsty or Kirstie in Bristol(Image: Mat Waugh)
A young girl with a brain tumour who is trying to find everyone called Kirsty in Britain has called on the Kirsties of Bristol to get involved – and said that Bristol is so far letting Team Kirsty down.
Young Kirsty Waugh is just 11 and has made it her mission to find as many women and girls called Kirsty as she can. She has so far found more than 7,000 across the UK and even more worldwide, but has only managed to track down 29 in Bristol, so is embarking on a recruitment drive in the city.
Kirsty has set up a website, and anyone who signs up to register their Kirsty-ness on the site can see a map with other Kirsties on. The aim is simple – to sign up to Kirsty’s map as either a Kirsty or a Kirstie or as a ‘Friend of Kirsty’.
So far the quirky quest has raised more than £65,000 for research into children with brain tumours, but Bristol is letting the side down, Kirsty’s dad Mat said.
He reckons that, given there have been around 40,000 babies called Kirsty or Kirstie in the UK in just the last 50 years, there must be hundreds in Bristol, but so far only 29 have signed up.
Famous Kirsties and Kirstys have signed up, with money raised going to OSCAR’S Pediatric Brain Tumour Charity.
Mat says the aim is simple – to encourage people to sign up to Kirsty’s map either as a Kirsty/Kirstie or as a Friend of Kirsty. “We want them to show their support with messages and photos for this girl and all kids with brain tumours, and raise money for research. So far she’s raised £65,000 – 100% of which will be spent on projects to find kinder, better treatments,” he said.
Kirsty Waugh, pictured here with her family, is trying to find women and girls called Kirsty or Kirstie in Bristol(Image: Mat Waugh)
Kirsy added: “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 idea came to young Kirsty when she met Kirsty Gilmour, the UK’s number one badminton player. Since then, the likes of Kirstie Allsopp, Kirsty Gallacher and children’s author Kirsty Applebaum have all signed up, along with new ‘Friends of Kirsty’ including Davina McCall and Jamie Theakston.
Kirsty was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour in November 2024. She has been on chemotherapy ever since, with more than a year still to go. Last year, she raised £120,000 for a children’s cancer charity; this year, she wanted to focus specifically on research.
“Every time a Kirsty or a supporter is added to the map, and every donation made, gives Kirsty a lift,” said her dad Mat.
Kirsty Waugh, pictured here with Davina McCall, is trying to find women and girls called Kirsty or Kirstie in Bristol(Image: Mat Waugh)
“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,” he added.
If you are a Kirsty or you know a Kirsty, then find out more on this link, here.