5 years ago, at 16 years old, we lost our best friend - Addie Brady - to an aggressive and brutal brain tumour. Addie really was one of a kind; she was unconditionally loving, caring, funny, crazy, and could light up any room she walked in to. Everyday, she is loved and missed by so many. Her contagious laugh, and brightest smile is most definitely missed in everyone’s lives. Everyday we are all thankful to have had a friend like Addie. She had a great impact on us all, and leaves us with fond memories that we will cherish forever💛

So what are we doing?

Last year, on the 23rd of October 2022, was Addie’s 21st birthday. In honour of this, her family dedicated themselves to organise 21 events with the aim to raise £21,000 for the Addie Brady Foundation (please see more information below). To contribute towards the 21 events, on the 23rd of September, 13 of us will be walking 21 miles around London. We will be following the Circle Line: starting at Liverpool Street station, doing a loop around London, and finishing back where we started. We will be tracking every step of the way to make sure we have reached the 21 mile goal. Although it may be a challenge, we know that Addie will be alongside us the whole way, keeping us going.

More about Addie's Story…

In 2011, when Addie was 9, her life changed forever when she was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, spindle cell sarcoma. Surgery removed Addie’s tibia bone, which was replaced with titanium metal and she spent several months in hospital having chemotherapy. Addie recovered and she returned to a relatively normal life. However, five years later in September 2016, following a family party, Addie got up and was unable to speak and appeared to be in a trance-like state. She was rushed by ambulance into a nearby hospital. During the journey, she experienced several seizures. Addie was stabilized but scans revealed a mass on her brain. She was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital where a lumbar puncture and biopsy confirmed Addie had an aggressive, high grade, diffuse, inoperable brain tumour. More shockingly, the brain tumour was a primary cancer, unrelated to the first cancer. Addie was told she wouldn’t survive and life expectancy was 12 – 18 months with treatment to extend life only. Addie's family requested second opinions in and outside of the UK but there was no further treatment available. Genetic testing revealed Addie had a mutation of the TP53 gene and she was diagnosed with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS). Addie’s tumour remained stable for just over a year but it then became aggressive and, although at the time she was offered a trial, sadly, it became apparent very quickly that Addie was too poorly and further scans revealed the disease had spread to the spine and to other parts of the brain – the trial was no longer an option. The disease was brutal and took its toll, eventually taking her mobility, sight and mind. Addie died at home on 1st February 2018. She was just 16 years old.

The money we are raising is for the Addie Brady Foundation which was set up by her mother Michelle Brady after she passed away to support The Brain Tumour Charity. The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, they’re moving further and faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. They’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And they’re doing it right now. Because they understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour, a cure really can’t wait.

We are very appreciative of any money donated and every little penny counts. Please help us to share this page and raise as much money as we can for a charity close to our hearts.

To see more information on the Addie Brady Foundation please see The Addie Brady Foundation