Ben to shave everything for his beloved poorly niece
When Shrewsbury man Ben Howard received a telephone call from his sister in Australia it turned his family's life upside down.
The devastating, Christmas Day call, that his two year old niece, Aria, has stage four cancer, brought a sudden end to festivities.
Within hours his parents, Christine and Tom Howard, who live near Welshpool, were on a flight to Australia to help their daughter, Stef and partner Josh care for Aria.
The little girl, described by Ben as strong and fiesty, was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma - a cancer of the nervous system which has spread to other parts of the body.
She has already started chemotherapy which will last 12 months and then be followed by radiotherapy.
Remaining at home, Ben said he felt helpless. He decided to fundraise, to ensure family to do everything they could to care for Aria.
And with his long beard his trademark, Ben decided it was time for it - and the rest of his hair - to come off.
On March 1, at a venue to be decided, Ben will brave the shave, not just on his chin and his head but on every part of his body.
"The only thing that will remain will be my eyebrows," he said.
"The beard's been seven years in the making and is good to me in the cold winter months. And now for the most deserving cause it’s coming off - not even my wife has that power."
Strongest
"My first priority was to get my parents to Australia on the first available flight out. My wife spent Christmas morning ringing around all the airlines and we were lucky to get the flight that we did. There were only three seats left.
"Now we want to do all we can to keep the family unit together. We feel so helpless here in the UK."
"Anybody that knows my family and the females in it know how strong they are, and this little girl is the strongest of the lot.”
Anyone who wants to help Ben to fundraise can do so through gofundme.com/f/bens-big-beard-back-sack-amp-crack-ouch
Other fundraisers being held by the community include ‘A Bingo fundraiser for Aria’ on January 31, at Welshpool Town Hall. Doors open at 6pm, with eyes down for the first game at 7pm.
The organisers are asking for prize donations for the bingo or raffle.
A clothes sale fundraiser for Aria will take place on February 15, at Welshpool Town Bowling Club.
At the sale, there will be raffles and the chance to buy preloved children’s and adults’ clothes. The bar will also be open.
