Our Armies
Fighting DIPG, Together
In November 2012, we established 'Abbie's Army' in memory of our daughter. Our charity gained official registration with the Charity Commission, marking the beginning of our mission to fight DIPG and support affected families.
Driven by our love for Abbie and our determination to make a difference, we set out to raise awareness about DIPG, fund crucial research, and provide support to families facing this devastating diagnosis.
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Since our inception, we've made significant strides in our mission. We've funded groundbreaking research projects, organised awareness campaigns, and provided a support network for families affected by DIPG.
However, we quickly realised that the fight against DIPG is too big for any single organisation to tackle alone.
United We Stand:
DIPG Parents Fighting for DIPG Parents.
Abbie's Army doesn't stand alone in the battle against DIPG. We're proud to be part of a larger "army" of other parent-led charities and fundraising groups, each born from the loss of a beloved child to DIPG.
Together, we can form a powerful collaborative effort dedicated to raising awareness, funding research, and supporting families affected by this devastating disease. We may all have differing priorities, but crucially all contain an element of DIPG research in our remits for public benefit.
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Below are just a few of the groups we are privileged to know and still work with ongoing, there many more families who have generously supported our work in the past.
DIPG / DMG Collaborative
In an effort to further UK and European DIPG research advances, Abbie’s Army have joined the DIPG/DMG Collaborative as Leadership Partners.
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This is Abbie’s Army’s second membership with the ‘DIPG/DMG Collaborative’ after previous involvement back in 2013. We are excited again to be representing the UK as the only European member of the group alongside many likeminded foundations from the US and Australia.
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Research for rare cancers like DIPG requires international cooperation, by pooling our resources into the best international research available with a co-ordinated strategy, we can all get closer to our shared goal to eradicate DIPG faster.
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Crucially with financial resource for DIPG being so scarce, this balance of research transparency provides elimination of duplication for pre-clinical and translational research worldwide.
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The DIPG / DMG Collaborative is now a collection of more than 25 foundations with the common interest of inspiring research into the cure of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) and Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG) cooperatively funding millions of dollars of research worldwide.
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As part of our collaboration, Abbie’s Army will be recognised on all funded grants during our partnership, increasing the impact of the charity on an international level.​
Noah's Rainbow
Noah’s Rainbow was formed by Noah’s parents and is dedicated to the memory of Noah Wright who lost his life to a DIPG brain tumour aged only 4 years. The group fundraises on behalf of two charities ‘Little Havens Hospice’ and ‘Abbie’s Army’.
All donations to the group are split equally so that Noah’s legacy will live on in the lives of other children and their families.
Noah’s Rainbow have designated funds towards the IL13-RA2 CAR-T cell therapy trial specifically. To date the group has raised £13,000 with Abbie’s Army to support DIPG research.
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You can visit the Noah's Rainbow website here: https://noahsrainbow.co.uk/
Islastones Foundation
The Islastones Foundation are a registered charity (1187471) that raises money to support research into Childhood Cancer, as well as awarding financial grants to the families affected.
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The group fundraise in memory of Isla Tansey, who at 7-years old started a phenomenal worldwide stone decorating movement in April 2018. Today they still encourage supporters to paint stones, using the hashtag #islastones and ‘Photo. Post. Rehide’. You then, leave it somewhere where it can be found and moved on.
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We have worked on two co-funded projects with the group, supporting a DIPG research position at the Institute of Cancer Research under Prof Chris Jones (£73,000) and donating towards the GD2 CAR-T cell therapy trial currently recruiting at GOSH (£50,000).
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To date the group has raised £123,000 with Abbie’s Army to support DIPG research.
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You can visit the Islastones Foundation website here: https://islastones.com
Eva's Angels
Eva’s Angels are a registered charity (1178612) that provide respite breaks on the beautiful Kent coast, for families who are, or have been affected by childhood cancer. They also raise money to support DIPG research in loving memory of five-year-old Eva Giles who lost her battle to Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) in April 2017.
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Having personal experience of DIPG they fully understand the importance of family support and how utterly exhausting the fight against cancer becomes for the whole family.
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We have worked with the group to co-fund the GD2 CAR-T cell therapy trial currently recruiting at GOSH. To date the group has raised £17,300 with Abbie’s Army to support DIPG research
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You can visit the Eva's Angels website here: https://evasangels.org
Blaze DIPG
Blaze are a registered charity (1209030) established by the family of Banjamin Shaw. The charity provides gifts and experiences to those affected by childhood cancer as well as donating funds towards DIPG research.
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Blaze products are overseen by Ellen, Benjamins older sister, whilst on holiday in Spain in 2018, Benjamin started to design t-shirt and caps. When he fell ill, he really enjoyed designing new products as it took his mind of things. He always said that one day he would sell his designs. Ellen now makes his dream come true while also raising money and awareness for childhood cancer.
Joey's Army
Joey’s Army are a group of family and friends from Stalisfield in Kent, who come together and fundraise in memory of Joey Ward-Bates. Joey lost his life to DIPG in 2019 just three months after his diagnosis, he was only 6 years old.
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From sponsored walks, parachute jumps, cake sales and an annual tractor rally, the group hold events in a huge variety of ways for Abbie’s Army.
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To date the group has raised £31,200 with Abbie’s Army to support DIPG research.
Billy's Battalion
Billy’s Battalion are a newly formed fundraising group (awaiting charitable status) from Great Bookham in Surrey, led by Billy’s parents Ellie and Jamie.
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Billy Thompson was just 4 years old when he passed away at Easter in March 2024. The outpouring of support after such a profound loss has triggered numerous events and generous donations to support our DIPG research. We have the shared understanding that only research can change the outcome for children facing this brutal disease.
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Most recently children from Billy’s school Polesden Lacey Infants completed a ‘Superhero’ stroll, with others planning events to support the family and their mission.
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To date the group has raised over £28,000 with Abbie’s Army to support DIPG research.
The Power of Collaboration
Each of these organisations have unique strengths and perspectives and all share our mission to eradicate DIPG. By collaborating and supporting one another, we amplify our impact and honour the memories of the children we've lost.
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Our alliance allows us to:
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Pool resources and fund larger research projects;
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Share information and best practices;
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Provide a broader support network for families;
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Organise larger awareness campaigns; and
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Advocate more effectively for increased funding and attention to DIPG research.
Through our combined efforts, we can make strides that none of us could achieve alone. Pushing for advancements in treatment, working to support the pre-clinical research that underpins innovations of the future, and striving to improve the quality of life for children diagnosed with DIPG.
Get Involved
Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children diagnosed with DIPG and their families. Your support can help fund critical research, raise awareness, and provide much-needed resources to those affected by this devastating disease.
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Are you a parent-led charity fighting against DIPG? We would love to hear from you and explore how we can join forces. Our alliance is always open to welcoming new members who share our passion and commitment to this cause.
​ Reach out to Amanda Mifsud at amanda@abbiesarmy.co.uk.
Together, we can make a difference.