Meet Chaz, 13, who raised $4,000 for charity despite a herniated disc

Thirteen-year-old Charlie “Chaz” turned his birthday into an opportunity to help others, organising an annual 5K fundraiser that raised $4,000 in 2025. For the fourth consecutive year, Chaz brought together family, friends and community supporters to raise money for children with brain tumours and a cause close to his family. The young fundraiser raised $3,000 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) and another $1,000 to support awareness of neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), a disease affecting a member of his family. What made the event particularly remarkable was that Chaz was dealing with a painful herniated disc that caused leg weakness in the weeks leading up to the run. Despite the setback, he chose to walk the 5K rather than cancel it.A birthday tradition built around giving backChaz's annual 5K has grown into a family and community tradition, bringing together people who want to support children affected by brain tumours. In 2025, he organised the event for the fourth year in a row, using his birthday as an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for causes that matter to him.The fundraiser generated $3,000 for PBTF, which supports childhood brain tumour research and...