Selfless act to see $5k donated to helping cancer-affected families

A young man’s goal to raise $5k for RedKite and donate his hair to be made into a wig was brought on by the passing of a close family friend. But now he needs your help. Details here.

Danny Booth (left) is shaving and donating his hair in memory of his friend Aiden Preston's brother, Aaron, who passed away in 2020 from brain cancer, just shy of his 13th birthday. Picture: Morgan Burley

A local boy is determined to raise $5000 by shaving and donating his hair, in honour of his late friend.

Danny Booth, 11, has grown his hair for three years, and next month will shave and donate his hair and fundraised money to Variety’s Hair with Heart and RedKite respectively.

Danny’s friend’s brother Aaron Preston passed away from medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer, on September 5, 2020.

“My hair was already long when Aaron unfortunately passed, and I decided I was going to shave it in memory of Aaron,” Danny said.

“I don’t know anyone that's done it and I thought, why not.

“ (RedKite) helps families with financial support and I thought I would give them a hand.”

Aaron’s brother and Danny’s friend Aiden, has a lot of respect for his friend.

“I feel like its very kind of him and I respect his decisions in the way that gets into my heart,” Aiden said.

Danny Booth and Aiden Preston always visit Aaron’s bench at Glenvale State School, and remember good times. Danny hopes to raise $5000 and donate his hair to assist cancer affected families in memory of Aaron. Picture: Morgan Burley

Aaron and Aiden’s father, Tony Preston, said he is touched by Danny’s decision.

“It’s incredible. I think some of these kids are old souls, and so mature for his age,” he said.

“Aaron and Danny’s brother Josh were good mates and went to Primary School and High School, they were like a band of brothers.

“When Aaron got ill, he was still going to school as well as he could, and kids were very supportive of him. this is just another way of them supporting him.”

Mr Preston said his son was a fighter, after being diagnosed in mid-2018.

Danny Booth (left) hopes to raise $5000 in memory of Aaron Preston, who passed away in 2020. Danny is good friends with Aaron’s brother, Aiden (pictured). Picture: Morgan Burley

“The disease just ravaged him. He went from being a very happy healthy boy playing hockey, to being in a wheelchair and not being able to support himself,” he said.

“It was rapid. But RedKite were brilliant to us.”

To donate to Danny’s fundraiser, click here.

Originally published as Selfless act to see $5k donated to helping cancer-affected families