Christmas Eve 2008 is a day my family and I will never forget. What should have been a festive evening filled with laughter and excitement turned into every parent’s worst nightmare when my son, Todd, was diagnosed with a brain tumour after experiencing petit mal seizures.
Unsurprisingly, that Christmas was the strangest one we’ve ever had. We had a teenager and a tiny baby at home as well, so we were doing our best to keep things as normal as possible for everyone, even though inside, Simon and I were terrified.
Todd in hospital
After Christmas, Todd began an exhausting treatment plan of chemotherapy that was meant to last 85 weeks but eventually stretched to 92, as low blood counts and transfusions often delayed his sessions. Watching your child go through that, the sickness, the weakness, the endless hospital visits, is something you can never prepare for. But what really broke our hearts was seeing how anxious he became when his hair started to fall out.
For Todd, the hardest part of it all wasn’t the pain or the countless procedures. It was losing his hair. He was so self-conscious, and he didn’t even want to leave the house. People often think children are more resilient about things like that, but I can tell you from the bottom of my heart, they feel it just as deeply as adults do.
What helped us
An unexpected turning point came when we discovered Buffera Ltd, a company that made high-quality bandanas. They were amazing, soft, breathable and protective against the sun. But most importantly, Todd loved them. They didn’t itch like hats or beanies, and they looked really cool. Before long, he had one to match every outfit.
With his new collection of colourful bandanas, he began to regain his confidence. It changed everything. People stopped asking about his hair loss and started talking about his funky bandanas instead. That shift, from feeling self-conscious to feeling stylish, made such a huge difference to him, and it was from that small but powerful change we had an idea that would soon help thousands of other children like Todd.
Starting our own charity
As a family, we’d raised money for various cancer charities, but I felt a real pull in my heart to do something more personal. Something that would directly support children going through the same thing Todd did. I wanted them to feel seen, supported, and a little bit special during such a frightening time. This inspired us to set up what would become Bandanas for the Brave, a registered charity that provides free bandanas to children and young people diagnosed with cancer who lose their hair through chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Each bandana is carefully chosen by the child on our website, so they’re personal to them, which is hugely important. The bandanas are very unique by being seamless, soft and offering UV protection to meet the practical and emotional needs of children facing treatment. It’s about so much more than just a head covering. It’s about confidence, comfort and identity. It’s about helping children feel like themselves again.
Our impact
Over the last 13 years, Bandanas for the Brave has given out thousands of bandanas across the UK and Ireland. Each one carries with it a message of hope and solidarity – a reminder that no child has to face their cancer journey alone. The response from families has been incredible and really makes me quite emotional. One beautiful parent whose child sadly died shared with us that her daughter’s bandana is still a part of her life. She told me that she carries her daughter’s bandana in her bag, so that if she feels she needs some help and comfort she reaches for it, and it really helps her in connecting with her little girl. That really moved me – to know that something so simple could bring so much meaning.
Todd in his bandana
As a family, we’re as passionate about our mission now as we were the day we started the charity. For us, Bandanas for the Brave isn’t just a charity – it’s a promise to every child and family walking this difficult path. We know what it’s like. We’ve been there. And if we can bring even one smile or one moment of comfort, then we’ve done what we set out to do.
People often say to kids, “Don’t worry your hair will grow back”, but hair loss can have such a huge emotional impact on children. We want them to know they’re not alone, and that they’re brave, beautiful and strong, with or without hair. Today, Bandanas for the Brave continues to grow, fuelled by compassion, community, and the belief that small acts of kindness can make a world of difference. Every bandana we send out is packed with love. Because sometimes, it’s the little things, like a soft fabric, a bright colour, a moment of confidence, that help children face the toughest days with courage and a smile.
Todd with Pudsey
What life looks like for Todd now
Todd is now a strong, independent young man. He’s still attending the hospital for MRI scans every two years, but thankfully his tumour is still behaving and hasn’t grown from his initial chemotherapy, which is wonderful. Although he has gone through a lot of hardships, he lives life to the full. He’s driving and has got a full-time job working for Amazon. We’re so proud of what he has achieved and will continue to achieve as he grows.
We also want this opportunity to thank all three of our boys. As an ordinary mum and dad who never thought we could do this, we have had them all behind us, and we’re so proud of them all in in helping us grow the charity into what it is now.
Contact Bandanas for the Brave
Email: info@bandanasforthebrave.com
Website: www.bandanasforthebrave.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bandanasforthebrave
From Contact magazine issue 110 | Spring 2026
