AN 11-year-old fundraising hero has been raising money for charity in memory of his little brother who passed away from a rare form of cancer.

Reno Pavelin, from Canewdon, grew out his hair for three and a half years before cutting it off last week to donate it to the Little Princess Trust.

All the money he has raised so far is being donated to Little Havens Hospice, which gave Reno’s brother, Asa, end of life care.

Asa passed away on August 7 2016 at the age of two, just five weeks after he was diagnosed with an embryonal tumour in his brain.

Reno and Asa’s mum, Teta Pavelin, 37, has praised the hospice for their support during the three days the family stayed there for Asa’s end of life care.

Teta said: “It’s just horrible to go through. Going to places like Little Havens made is so much easier.

“We was with them for three days before he died.

“I just got to be his mum for three days, rather than his carer.

“They don’t get recognised enough. They are like the superheroes of this world. Even now they are so supportive and they remember us.

“They don’t get government funding and we just wanted to do something for them as a family.

“They are amazing. It was good for Reno to do something on his own for them.”

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Reno has managed to raise £2,180 so far for Little Havens.

Teta said she couldn’t be prouder of her son for his efforts to raise money and awareness of what Little Havens do.

Teta said: “He wanted to do it in memory of his little brother and raise awareness of the support Little Havens have given us.

“He was a little bit emotional. I was so emotional.

“Someone said to him “you’re a hero” and he said “No, Little Havens are”.

“He was so happy to do something for them because he’s seen it all firsthand.

“I’m so proud of him he’s done so well.

“We’ve had so much support, it’s been amazing”

Teta is urging anyone to help support or do their own fundraiser for the hospice.

She added: “We just need to keep supporting them.

“You hope you never need them but when you do they are there for you 100 per cent.”

To donate, visit https://gofund.me/2e2d9990.