Nicola Faichney was our loving, caring and warm-hearted mum—a bubbly presence who created a home filled with laughter, comfort and unforgettable memories.
She welcomed everyone with a smile and a freshly boiled kettle. Her open-door home became a safe haven for many, and she was the person neighbours naturally gravitated towards—whether for heartfelt advice or a quick ten-minute chat at the front gate.
A diagnosis that changed everything
In October 2023, after weeks of headaches and a series of messages that didn’t quite make sense, Nicola was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. What was first suspected to be a stroke was revealed by scans to be two brain tumours.
The diagnosis was Glioblastoma—an aggressive Grade 4 brain cancer. Nicola underwent six weeks of daily radiotherapy at Edinburgh’s Western General, but a delayed reaction meant chemotherapy was no longer possible. She spent her final weeks under the care of the hospital team.
Then came Brian
The family began with fifteen “Brian the Bears”, but they disappeared within days. Nicola wanted more for the nurses, her roommates, the porters, the hospital radio presenter and anyone else who happened to pass her bed.
During her eulogy, Nicola’s mum reminded the family that Nicola’s very first job had been in a bear-making factory. Without anyone realising it at the time, her story had come full circle.
Kindness on the move
Adventures with Brian turns that final act of generosity into an ongoing tribute. Brian bears are hidden in special locations around the world, waiting to be found. Each one carries Nicola’s kindness into a new community and helps start conversations about glioblastoma and brain tumour research.