Beads of Courage, News

Blog

Member of the Month February 2026

Member of the Month February 2026

 Our Member of the Month this month is Evie Owens.

Evie’s journey began in June 2024, though in many ways the story started a few months earlier.

Around Easter 2024, she had a fall and hurt her back. At first, it seemed like the kind of accident most children experience at some point, painful but not alarming. Her family expected bruises to fade and soreness to ease. Instead, as the weeks passed, things didn’t improve. The pain persisted and then it worsened. Gradually, Evie began to struggle more, and the bright, energetic girl everyone knew started to slow down.

 

Member of the Month December 2025

Member of the Month December 2025

Our Member of the Month this month is Johanna Haxter.

Last December marked the beginning of a life-changing journey for little Johanna, who was just three and a half years old when her health rapidly took a frightening turn. What started as tummy pain on the night of December 10th quickly escalated. After spending the whole day in A&E, her condition continued to deteriorate, and doctors made the urgent decision to transfer her to Oxford for specialist care...

 

 

Member of the Month November 2025

Member of the Month November 2025

 Our Member of the Month this month is Leo Sproson.

In so many ways, 16 year old Leo Sproson is a typical teenager. He loves gaming and VR, has a brilliant group of friends, and recently began studying electrical engineering at college. But behind all the normal everyday moments, Leo is facing something unimaginable: a leukaemia diagnosis that has turned his and his family's world upside down.

 

Member of the Month October 2025

Member of the Month October 2025

Our Member of the Month this month is Mia Courtney.

On the 30th of December 2024, five-year-old Mia was taken to A&E with what initially seemed like a routine stomach bug and persistent abdominal pain. However, after several tests and an ultrasound, her family received news no parent is ever prepared for, Mia had a tumour on her left kidney. Doctors suspected a Wilms tumour, a rare kidney cancer most commonly found in children...



 

Member of the Month September 2025

Member of the Month September 2025

Our Member of the Month this month is Alyssa Ashcroft.

Alyssa was a typical, very active hockey playing 14 year old, until she became ill in June and was diagnosed with Glandular fever. After a short time off school she was able to go back to usual and enjoy time with her friends, however shortly after that she became ill again and little did her family know that life was about to dramatically change...


 

The Maria Watt Be The Change Award 2025 - Kimberley Hattersley - Barton

The Maria Watt Be The Change Award 2025 - Kimberley Hattersley - Barton

The Maria Watt Be The Change Award 2025 has been awarded to Kimberley Hattersley - Barton, who despite receiving five separate cancer diagnoses has continued to raise funds for various charities close to her heart, including Beads of Courage UK. Whilst doing so, Kimberley has continued to live each day with a huge smile on her face, whilst bringing joy to so many around her.