St Albans schoolboy, 10, has his head shaved for cancer charity

An inspirational 10-year-old boy has raised £1,516 by shaving his head for Macmillan Cancer Support after his uncle died from cancer.

Santhosh Murukathasan, who lives in Praetorian Court in St Albans and attends Killigrew Junior School, exceeded his original £250 target in the first day.

He decided to give his hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that makes wigs and hair pieces for children with cancer.

To create the wigs, Santhosh’s hair had to grow to at least seven inches long before he could donate it.

The Brave the Shave campaign is described by Macmillan Cancer Support as a way to stand in proud solitary with cancer sufferers.

Santhosh’s uncle, 45, had cancer treatment for six years before he passed away.

Santhosh would visit his uncle in hospital after school with his dad, Tony Murukathasan, who owns Costcutter in Vesta Avenue.

Santhosh, said: “One day all this will end in a good way, but until that we have to do something to help the brave people like my uncle beat this disease.

“A big thanks to my cousin Karthikan Yogarajah for inspiring me to do a good thing.

“A very big thanks to all the good-hearted people who have donated for this cause.”

Comments on his donations page are very encouraging - “You proved that age doesn’t matter when helping others Santhosh” and “We are very proud of you” being among them.

Santhosh is also a talented pianist and with the encouragement of his teacher, Michael Harvey, has come first place two competitions this year.

He won both the European Music from 1850 category at the North London Festival of Music, Drama and Dance 2016, and the Junior Recital in the Watford Festival 2016.

To support his efforts click here.