Brotherly Love: Boy, 12, Fights Hearing Loss

By Chris May

BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) -- For several years now, a Bucks County boy has been a big cheerleader for a big cause: helping people with hearing loss through the annual Walk 4 Hearing. He has hearing loss himself.

Brett Trimble, a 12-year-old from Yardley is busy collecting valuable items big and small for a yard sale.

"I hope I can raise at least $2,000 dollars," Brett said.

Yes, he said this year. Brett is already a fundraising pro. Since the age of eight, he's been raising money for the Hearing Loss Association of America.

"When we saw it online, he said he wanted to do that because he wanted to be able to help little kids like him," said Denise Trimble, Brett's mother.

"I know the money I raise will help them afford stuff," said Brett.

It's almost hard to tell that Brett has significant hearing loss in both ears. He uses hearing aids.

"He doesn't hear the end of words, so a lot of consonants are lost," said Denise.

Thanks to speech therapy and technology, Brett is thriving.

"If my parents weren't able to get information about hearing loss, I would be a very different person today," Brett said in a fundraising letter.

It's using fundraising letters and signs and shaking hands in the community that Brett started drafting people to his cause.

"Within a couple of weeks, he had talked to neighbors, and in less than two months, he had over $2,000 for this walk," said Denise.

Every year, Brett's Brigade has grown. Brett hopes his five-year fundraising total will surpass $15,000 this year.

"It is so important to help people who can't hear well so that they do not miss out on important information and fun stuff too," Brett said.

Brett's yard sale is Saturday, July 28, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at 597 Barn Drive in Yardley, PA. The Walk 4 Hearing is this September.

To go to Brett's fundraising page, click here.

To see Brett's Facebook page, click here.