Rye, Westchester County Designate March 27 Hamish Fenton Day

To honor hometown hero Hamish Fenton, the city and Westchester County declared Thursday (March 27) — Hamish Fenton Day in Rye.

The distinction, which was made official by the Rye City Council at its Wednesday night meeting, was bestowed on Fenton for his 13th birthday — Hamish was in attendance for the recognition.

The county also ran Hamish Fenton Day on the large screen outside the Westchester County Center in White Plains on Thursday. And Longford’s on Elm Place added the “Hamish Milkshake” to their menu offerings, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

In September 2023, Hamish was diagnosed with Nut Carcinoma, a cancer so rare only 200 cases had been reported worldwide. Since receiving Hamish’s diagnosis, the Fentons, who moved to Rye from their native Australia five years ago, have left no stone unturned in their efforts to research, learn about, and fight this rare disease. 

Thanks to Hamish’s impact on the local community, a polar plunge in February raised $25,000 for cancer research. That was preceded by a late January blood drive, “The Hamish Strong Blood Drive,” organized by his older brother Archer Fenton, a key contributor for the Garnets’ football team.

The Red Cross-sponsored blood drive celebrated the younger Fenton brother and provided funds to support the Rye rugby team — Hamish’s organization of choice.