"Brain cancer is the biggest cancer killer of people under 40 years old and in children under 10," Hughes said.

The non-profit charity is raising funds at several local businesses this week as part of Beanie for Brain Cancer Awareness Week.

Toronto and Morisset McDonald's are right behind the cause; their staff will be wearing beanies all week.

The cause is a very personal one for Adam Sherman, owner of Toronto and Morisset McDonald's, who lost his mother to brain cancer when he was 19.

"It's pretty close to my heart. I know how horrific it can be for families," Mr Sherman said.

"Many of our crew members and customers are keen supporters of The Mark Hughes Foundation. We're grateful that we are able to give back to such a great cause through our restaurants."

Hughes said the money raised would go towards research.

"Our aim at the moment is to get right into research," he said.

"We've got some exciting travel grant stuff coming up, which means researchers go to the cutting edge of brain cancer research to gather information and then bring it back to here so they have a better understanding."

The charity has already built a bio-bank which will store removed brain tumours for use in future research.

"It's like a library of brain tumours," Hughes said.

"Nothing happens overnight but we've taken some good steps. We couldn't do it without the support of the community."

Locals can make donations to The Mark Hughes Foundation via donation buckets which will be at Toronto and Morisset McDonald's until this Friday.

■ For more information or to buy a beanie, visit markhughesfoundation.com.au