The Brave Positive Strong Foundation
Comfort, courage and community for children facing chemotherapy
We stand beside children starting cancer treatment and the families walking with them — turning frightening hospital days into moments made a little brighter.
See It For Yourself
Our Story, In A Few Minutes
Where We Started
Where it all began — with Emma, Catriona and Darcie
Every charity has an origin story. Ours starts with two best friends, Emma and Catriona, on the day Emma's daughter Darcie was diagnosed with cancer. Neither of them set out to start a foundation — that came later, once they'd lived through what a diagnosis like that really means.
They know what those hospital corridors feel like. They know the waiting, the not-knowing, and how much a single kind gesture can mean in the middle of it all. That experience became the reason The Brave Positive Strong Foundation now exists — to help children in chemotherapy, and the people who love them, feel a little more brave, positive and strong.
A Story Close To Our Hearts
Meet Darcie
One of the stories closest to our hearts is Darcie's. During her own treatment, an everyday chemotherapy bag became something she dreaded — a plain, clinical pouch tied to every hard appointment.
That experience shaped exactly what a Brave Bag needed to be: a cover bright with colour and warmth, designed to turn something clinical into something clearly made just for them.
Our Signature Program
What's inside a Brave Bag
Comfort
Soft items that make hospital time feel a little calmer.
Practical Support
Everyday extras for parents and carers navigating treatment.
Something To Do
Games, books and activities to help pass the long hours.
A Little Joy
A small treat and a genuine smile on a difficult day.
The People Behind The Foundation
Meet the Trustees
The team giving their time to make Brave Bags possible for every child who needs one.
Emma
Founder & TrusteeEmma founded The Brave Positive Strong Foundation after supporting her daughter Darcie through her own cancer journey. She leads the charity's day-to-day work, helping it grow while supporting other children and families going through the same thing. Before the Foundation, Emma was a primary school teacher, and outside of charity work she's a mum of three who loves walking and spending time with her family.
Catriona
Founding TrusteeCatriona has been close friends with Emma since school, and together they're committed to supporting other families through the same experience. She brings a background in healthcare, having worked as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and, more recently, as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in oncology and research. Outside the Foundation, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, walking her dogs, and going to the gym.
Iain
TrusteeIain owns East Kilbride Fitness & Performance, which he's spent over a decade building into a place where people feel stronger, healthier and more confident. The gym hosted a 24-hour Sled Push fundraiser that showed just how powerful community support can be — and it was after that event Iain was asked to join as a Trustee.
Mairead
Trustee & TreasurerMairead is our Trustee and Treasurer, responsible for the Foundation's financial management and governance. An accountant by trade, her attention to detail and financial expertise help keep the charity on solid footing as it grows. When she's not working with numbers, Mairead likes staying active at the gym and spending time with her three children.
Vanessa
TrusteeVanessa brings her Third Sector experience to the Foundation, including income generation and operational and partnership work. Her knowledge helps make sure our support for children and families facing a cancer diagnosis is both achievable and sustainable. She's happiest surrounded by family, friends, her dogs, and a bit of sunshine.
Julie
TrusteeJulie has worked with teenagers and young adults with cancer since 2006, and is now the Teenage Cancer Trust's National Lead Nurse for Scotland. She was part of the oversight group behind Scotland's Cancer Strategy for Children and Young People, and is the founder of the RadioTherapy Podcast, where young people share their experiences of cancer. Outside of work, she's completed the London Marathon three times.
Bryan
TrusteeBryan spent many years as a headteacher, combining strong leadership with compassion for the children and families he worked with. In 2023, his own daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumour; she's now in remission, which gave Bryan a deeply personal understanding of what families in similar situations go through. He brings that experience to the Foundation, and outside of it is a keen long-distance cyclist who takes on fundraising challenges of his own.
For the first time, treatment day felt less like something to fear — the Brave Bag made that much of a difference.— A family we've supported
What's Coming Up
Upcoming Events
Fundraisers, awareness days, and ways to get involved in person. Check back for the latest.
Annual Charity Bootcamp
Our annual charity bootcamp is back, hosted by EK Fitness & Performance Centre in aid of The Brave Positive Strong Foundation. Come along and sweat it out for a great cause.
Charity Golf Day
Sold OutOur Charity Golf Day returns to Whitecraigs Golf Club for a Texas Scramble in aid of The Brave Positive Strong Foundation. Registration opens at 12:30pm ahead of a 2pm shotgun start, with team prizes, on-course challenges, and a charity raffle to round off the day. Every team is now booked — thank you to everyone who signed up!
Ladies Lunch
Sold OutJoin us for a fabulous afternoon in aid of The Brave Positive Strong Foundation. Doors open at 12pm with a fizz reception and time to browse the stalls, followed by a three-course lunch at 1pm with a glass of wine, speakers, and games and prizes along the way.
All tickets for this event are now sold — thank you to everyone joining us!
Get Involved
A few ways to help
Whichever way you choose, it goes straight toward getting a Brave Bag to a child who needs one.
Fund a Bag
Cover the cost of a Brave Bag and put it directly into the hands of a child starting chemotherapy.
Donate Now
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