Sam Stephens is taking fundraising to new heights , vowing to legally change his name to Buzz Lightyear if he raises $ 4,000 for a children 's cancer charity . The 26-year-old toy story fanatic will run in the Brighton Marathon in April to raise money for charity after learning of his friend , Joe Grimley , loosing his younger sister to leukemia . ‘ I wanted to something a bit personal and cancer is obviously a big deal , especially in children , it ’ s horrible , ’ told The Daily Mail Australia . Thumbs up : Mr Stephens committed to running 26 miles in the Brighton Marathon wearing his Buzz Lightyear costume after reaching his first goal of £500 . Sam Stephens ( pictured left ) with his friend Joe Grimley ( pictured right ) who tragically lost his young sister to leukemia . Mr Stephens said he wanted to bring something ' a bit different and unique ' to his fundraising events , ultimately taking it 'to infinity and beyond ' by setting a series of Toy Story related goals on the way . He says if reaches $ 2,400 , he will get a Buzz tattoo on his thigh . If he manages to raise $ 4,000 , he will take the plunge and officially change his name with deed poll to 'Buzz Lightyear ' like the Space Ranger from the Universe Protection Unit . 'This means there will be no more Samuel Thomas Stephens , I will be known on all my official documents , ( passport driving license etc ) and to the whole entire universe as Buzz Lightyear , ' Mr Stephens says on his donation website . Mr Stephens has been overwhelmed with the public 's response , as donations have been flooding in after his plight hit news websites a few days ago . ' I never expected it to blow up like this . ' ‘ In two days I had close to 250 pounds ( A $ 495 ) come in from all over the world . People I don ’ t even know , from America and even Finland. ’ Mr Stephens says he wanted to bring something ' a bit different and unique ' to his fundraising events choosing to legally change his name to 'Buzz Lightyear ' if he reaches his target . In what the philanthropist has labelled 'drytashamarathon ' , Mr Stephens will also be taking part in 'Movember ' , which means he 'll sport a moustache until the marathon , and 'Dryathalon ' , a sobering challenge where he will abstain from drinking . Mr Stephens has already achieved two of his goals by raising an astonishing $ 2,000 . This means he 'll don a Buzz Lightyear costume while running the 26-mile marathon , and let those who have donated to his cause style his new facial hair . Mr Stephens ( pictured left ) is ready for his transformation into his childhood hero , Buzz Lightyear ( pictured left ) ' I want to do all I can to help raise awareness and I think the Toy Story theme adds a nice touch to what we are trying to achieve . ' 'Buzz Lightyear is a childhood hero of mine and I am looking forward to my kids being called Lightyear and my wife , Mrs Lightyear , ' Mr Stephens told The Daily Mail Australia . Mr Stephens , who is currently working in Australia , says he wo n't do anything by half measure , looking outside the box to give people more incentive to donate . The 26-year-old Brighton man has been travelling and training for the marathon in Sydney , Australia with plans to return home in April .
Sam Stephens will change his name to Buzz Lightyear if he raises $ 4,000 for a children 's cancer charity . Other goals include wearing a costume in the Brighton Marathon and getting a tattoo of his hero , Buzz . Sam has already raised $ 2,000 for a children 's cancer charity . He was motivated after hearing about a close friend losing his young sister to the 'horrible disease '