Girl, 11, with brain tumour wins surprise award

An 11-year-old girl with a brain tumour who has raised more than £100,000 for charity says receiving a fundraising award was "crazy".

Kirsty, from Tunbridge Wells, was surprised with a JustGiving Rising Star Award by Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash while undergoing chemotherapy at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

She has been crocheting bunting triangles to mark each of the 70 weeks of chemotherapy she faces, as part of her Crochet for Cancer campaign.

"It's crazy to see how many people voted for me," Kirsty told BBC Radio Kent. "There are so many people who have been by my side."

Kirsty was diagnosed with a brain tumour in November 2024, which has affected her eyesight and memory.

She has so far crocheted 52 triangles towards her goal of 70.

Her fundraising for Children with Cancer UK began after starting treatment and has now passed £100,000.

She was surprised by the famous couple at the hospital on Wednesday.

She said: "Stacey was so lovely to meet and is such a fun personality. Joe was so funny and they are both really fun people."

Her dad, Mat, said: "We have been keeping this surprise for weeks. It was a fabulous afternoon and they were really warm people.

"They made Kirsty and the rest of us feel so special."

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