Last month, three of our amazing Curestarters, Gaby, Findlay and Poppy, organised a special BBC Live Lounge-style event, raising over £3,000 for cancer research. After losing both parents to the disease, the siblings began organising events like the Live Lounge to celebrate their mum and dad’s lives while raising money for vital discovery research. We were lucky enough to join them on the day and see their incredible efforts first-hand.
Losing both parents to cancer
The siblings’ fundraising journey began after their dad, Kevin, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of oesophageal cancer in 2018, aged just 49. Despite undergoing two years of treatment, he sadly died after the cancer spread to other parts of his body.
Just a few months later, their mum, Victoria, was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, which had spread to her spine, bowel and liver.
After she died in 2024, their fundraising expanded into an official family legacy fund – a way to honour both parents and share their story.
Their goal is to raise £200,000 to fund an entire cancer research project, with a particular focus on oesophageal cancer, which can be difficult to treat because it is often diagnosed at a late stage.
Raising money for Worldwide Cancer Research
The day was filled with music and joy, with performers travelling from across the UK to Prestwick to take part. One highlight was Findlay’s performance of “Candy” by Paolo Nutini – his mum’s favourite song and the one he sang at her funeral.
Donations made on the day raised more than £3,000 for their parents’ legacy fund which, to date, has raised over £45,000 for Worldwide Cancer Research.
The siblings chose Worldwide Cancer Research because of the support they received and the charity’s ambition to start cures for different types of cancer. They believe that, if their dad’s symptoms had been identified earlier and more treatment options had been available for his rare cancer, they might have had more time together.
This was our first big event since losing our mum a year and a half ago. We thought that doing something with music and making it as lively as possible would be the perfect way to honour both of them. This weekend was the happiest we have felt for a very long time, so thank you.
Join our united effort to stop cancer.
There are so many different ways to support our search for new cures. Will you join the 90,000+ Curestarters who are already helping us get closer to a day when no life is cut short by cancer?