‘Just want to keep making him proud’: George’s best friend fundraises for family after passing

As both classmates and football and basketball teammates, 9-year-old Jax put all his efforts into fundraising for his friend the late George McNees. See how he’s continuing his friend’s legacy>

Jax Burnett 9 has made key rings he will be selling The Tasmanian Made Spring Market with the money going directly to the McNees family. George McNees 9 who recently lost his battle with brain cancer was good mates with Jax. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Young Jax Burnett hopes his best mate George McNees is proud of the fundraising work he’s putting in.

Jax, 9, has been making and selling keyrings since April this year in hopes of raising money to support George and his family.

Little fighter George, also 9, recently lost his battle to an aggressive form of brain cancer he was diagnosed with at 11 months old.

Classmates, football teammates and basketball buddies, George and Jax were best friends from a young age, staying close through George’s cancer fight.

George McNees passed away after an eight-year battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Picture: supplied

When Jax heard the sad news George’s cancer had returned, he leapt into crafting action.

Inspired by a previous market stall George and Jax had held together at a local market where they sold keyrings and magnets, Jax took to making AFL team-coloured keyrings.

At a price of $7, $5 goes straight to supporting the McNees family through their difficult time and the remaining money goes back into making keyrings.

“Mum and Dad helped to buy beads, strings and key chains to get me started and then we sold them through Facebook,” Jax said.

“I have sold over 400 key rings so far.”

The keyrings translate to $2000 in funds for the McNees’.

Jax has vowed to continue helping the family following George’s passing, with George sharing a touching message with Jax before his death.

“When George came for a playdate one day, he told me ‘what you are doing is very kind’ and that made me happy,” Jax said.

“I am sad George won’t be able to come to the market, but I know he would be happy I am helping his family and I just want to keep making him proud.”

George McNees 9 of Hobart. George has been having on going treatment after being diagnosed with a brain tumour at age 11 months. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Jax also attended George’s celebration of life at Blundstone Arena on Friday, where he spoke of his friendship with George while wearing a pair of futsal boots gifted by George.

Jax will continue fundraising for the memory of his friend this weekend though, busily making another 250 keyrings for the upcoming Tasmanian Made Spring market at MAC02 this Saturday and Sunday.

After being gifted a stall by market organisers, Jax hopes to sell out of all keyrings.

“I’ll have my Mum with me and my Nan will also come to help,” he said.

“I want to keep raising money from the keyrings to help the McNees family, and then I want to help fundraise for the Point to Pinnacle that George’s parents run in.”

To support the McNees family and Jax’s fundraiser, head to the Tasmanian Made Spring Market at MAC02 this Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 4pm or order a key ring through Keepsakes and Craft’s Facebook page.

Originally published as ‘Just want to keep making him proud’: George’s best friend fundraises for family after passing