A 13-year-old from Bedfordshire has chopped off his long locks in memory of his uncle who died of a brain tumour.
Heston Holbrook shed 16 inches of hair in aid of Brain Tumour Research on Saturday 12th July, just ahead of Glioblastoma Awareness Week. The teenager took the step to pay tribute to his uncle Steve Holbrook, who died of a glioblastoma when Heston was only four.
A police officer from Great Paxton, Cambridgeshire, Steve (pictured top left with wife, Carrie) was diagnosed with the most common and aggressive type of brain tumour in 2015. A father of two, Steve underwent surgery and had just begun chemotherapy to combat progression of his glioblastoma when he passed away.
Heston has raised more than £1,000 for Brain Tumour Research – and donated his locks to The Little Princess Trust. He said: “It felt strange at first having short hair, but I’m really happy I did it. I wanted to do something for my uncle and help people at the same time.”
Steve’s brother and Heston’s father, Adam, said: “Heston came to us a few weeks ago and said he wanted to do this for his uncle. It was completely unprompted and we’re so proud of him. He was a bit nervous beforehand but seeing the donations come in really spurred him on. It was an emotional day for all of us, but he’s already used to his new haircut and loving the change.”
The Holbrook family are no strangers to fundraising and have raised more than £66,000 for Brain Tumour Research since Steve’s diagnosis. Tomorrow, during, Glioblastoma Awareness Week, Adam will take on a 140-mile cycle from Maulden to Bournemouth in one day, joined by a dozen fellow cyclists.
Adam concluded: “Steve was really involved with Brain Tumour Research when he was alive, and it’s a charity that gives families hope. Fundraising and raising awareness about the historic lack of funding for research into brain tumours has helped me cope after losing my brother. It’s something we now do together as a family. It’s in our blood.”
You can still donate to Heston’s Brain Tumour Research fundraiser and help fund the scientists searching for a cure to stop this disease devastating lives.
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