A major fundraising night is being held at the Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall tomorrow night to raise money for the 4-year-old Arrowtown Preschool pupil, who was diagnosed with cancer last month that had spread to his lungs.
"Angus talks about it as the shrinking medicine, because the doctor told us the initial tumour had shrunk.
"We are feeling kind of positive.
"Just looking at him keeps you that way.
"Once you're in it, it can seem quite inspiring and Angus' attitude is so amazing.
"We are involved in something quite special, even though it's something you wouldn't choose to be in."
Angus will undergo chemotherapy treatment every three weeks until August when doctors hope to remove the initial tumour if it has reduced enough in size.
The operation would then be followed by six more chemotherapy treatments.
Mrs Beaton said the whole process the family was going through had opened them up to a "new world".
When the family first arrived in Christchurch, doctors said Angus would only live for two days without treatment - that was six weeks ago.
"We went into instant grieving.
"We feel inspired by Angus.
"Instead of feeling sad and worried the whole time, sometimes it is good to take time and smell the roses.
"Angus is doing really well.
"It is the one time the defences and barriers just come down.
"This has taken the fear away of what was an unknown thing.
"It makes you appreciate everything a bit more."
Since Angus was diagnosed, the Arrowtown and Wakatipu community has raised $18,618 through a special donation bank account, sausage sizzles and movie fundraisers.
Mrs Beaton said the generosity had been overwhelming for her, Angus' father Gordon and sister Kate (6).
"We are just so proud of what they're doing down there.
"They are so clever and organised and the amount almost seems irrelevant [compared] to what they have done for us."
The money raised has meant Kate can attend Cathedral Grammar School in Christchurch and Gordon can take time from his Arrowtown building business to spend with the family.
"We haven't had any stress away from this.
"The amazing thing is having Gordon here when we otherwise wouldn't have been able."
The Beatons hope to return to Arrowtown in time for term four.
The Angus Beaton fundraiser night is at Arrowtown's Athenaeum Hall tomorrow from 6.30pm, with a silent auction and local entertainment from bands Swamp Donkey and the Lynch Mob.
