Walking for Amelie

For Amelie – Raising awareness and funds for vital brain tumour research and end-of-life care  

Tara and Matt’s elder daughter Amelie was aged just 14 when, in March 2025, she was diagnosed with an aggressive and rare cancer in her brainstem. Every year 20 to 30 children in the UK are diagnosed with a Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), a brain cancer which has no cure and very limited treatment options. Amelie died in July 2025 surrounded by her family at Acorns Children’s Hospice in Worcester, aged 15, just four months after her diagnosis.  

Tara, Matt and her sister Sophia’s vision is that no family suffer this heartbreaking loss. They’re raising funds for urgent research and outstanding end-of-life care for young people. 

Amelie was amazing. She was fun and full of life. She was a dedicated and outstanding athlete who excelled at competitive rowing. She loved singing, surfing, skateboarding, football and guitar, as well as huge walks across the country with her family. 

Amelie fought her cancer with all her will. But, despite undergoing radiotherapy, her tumour grew. “She showed us what true courage looks like; meeting every challenge with fierce determination, sweet compassion, and that spark that made her Amelie. We are devastated by her loss and by how quickly she was taken from us.” Tara and Matt. 

Our 1,200 mile journey ‘For Amelie’ 

Amelie lived life fully and loved travel. Tara, Matt and 12-year-old Sophia are replicating Amelie’s determination and sense of adventure with their epic walk, ‘For Amelie’. 

In August - five weeks after Amelie died - they set off with their dog Orla, and a lock of Amelie’s hair, to walk over 1,200 miles from John O Groats to Land’s End, camping along the way. Tara and Matt will continue to alternate to ensure that Sophia can continue in school, all walking together whenever possible.

“We miss Amelie so much but we’re remembering her by doing something she would have loved; stepping out, starting to walk, pushing ourselves beyond what we think is possible,” said Tara.  

Raising funds to find a cure

Abbie's Army is a family-led UK charity which funds innovative medical research to find a cure for Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG). Recent discoveries and technologies have demonstrated enormous potential for advancements in treating DMG but substantial investment is required. Abbie’s Army makes sure every penny raised goes to funding vital DMG research.

Raising funds to care for children and their families

Caring for a child in the final weeks of life is unbelievably hard but sensitive care and support from Acorns Children’s Hospice meant Tara, Matt and Sophia were able to always be by Amelie’s side. Acorns Children’s Hospice provides a network of specialist nursing care and support for children as well as on-going support for siblings and families. It relies on fundraising to continue to provide award-winning end-of-life care for children. 

“These two charities mean the world to us. We’re so grateful for donations, as well as encouragement along our way. Come and say hello!”  

Love Tara, Matt, Sophia and Orla the dog