Kayleigh’s Wee Stars

When our beautiful daughter was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour, we made it our mission to do everything we could to make her last few months as precious and comfortable for her as we could. We wanted to make happy memories.

Alongside our families, we supported each other to remain strong during what was a very difficult time. After 6 months full of adventures, Kayleigh passed away in June 2012, snuggled in our arms.

We decided to set up Kayleigh’s Wee Stars in our daughter’s name to help other families make memories. Everyone’s circumstances are different and we aim to take the financial burden away from parents to allow them to spend time with their child when it matters most.

We are both Primary School Teachers, and as such, the only way we are able to continue the great work of the charity, is due to the teamwork between our family, our Trustees, our CEO, Fiona and our fabulous fundraisers. Without the support of fundraisers and local businesses who support us, we would not be able to keep making this important difference to the lives of so many terminally ill children, and their families, across Scotland.

We live in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, and Kayleigh’s Wee Stars now has 2 extra loyal supporters - Kayleigh’s younger sisters; Charlotte and Emma born in 2013 and 2015.

Thank you everyone for all of your ongoing efforts.

Kayleigh’s Parents

Left to Right: Anna Cordiner, Jonathan Cordiner, Nicola Alexander, Keith Paterson

Nicola Alexander

A close friend of both Anna and Jonathan, Nicola became involved with Kayleigh’s Wee Stars from the outset, when the couple decided to establish the charity to support other families looking after a child with a terminal diagnosis.

Nicola’s daughter, Olivia, was one of Kayleigh’s best friends, and the two girls spent much of their time together playing and having sleepovers. Nicola can be found working hard behind the scenes at the charity’s fundraising events, ably supported by her children cheering on the participants, and Olivia waving the flags in support.

Keith Paterson

Keith arrived one day in the lead up to our first charity event, the Inverness Marathon and 10k – and just didn’t leave! He can be found helping wherever he can at our events and behind the scenes supporting the other trustees.

Since 2012, Kayleigh’s Wee Stars has built strong connections in hospitals and hospices across Scotland to ensure families know about the charity and work closely with their dedicated health professionals to provide the support they need. To date, over 700 families have been supported and over £1million paid out in grants.

The charity is funded through fundraising from their own events, opportunities to participate in additional events as an affiliated charity, and from people choosing to fundraise for the charity through a variety of means – whether a sporting event, work / school-based challenges or memorial collections.

Applications are submitted by the health professional on behalf of the family with details of the support required, and subject to approval, are typically turned round in 48 hours to ensure families receive the help at the time they need it most.