12-year old Gage Duke takes a quick photo with Harry Connick Jr. after talking about his organization Just Cuz Helmets Matter on Connick's daytime show, "Harry." Courtesy 

A Texas preteen with Tyler ties recently appeared on Harry Connick Jr.’s daytime show to share how the death of his cousin led him to promote bike safety and the use of helmets.

At the age of 6 Gage Duke, now 12, of Rockwall, sat in a pew and cried himself to sleep at his cousin Allen Hall’s funeral, according to an account of the occasion online.

Hall, of Tyler, died in 2012 after he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle to Robert E. Lee High School. Hall was not wearing a helmet. 

Although young, Gage decided he wanted to do something to help people in memory of his late cousin. 

In 2013, a year after Hall’s death Gage approached his principal about putting on a bike safety event. A year later with the help of his school resource officer, that event happened.

In 2015, the family formed the nonprofit Just Cuz Helmets Matter Inc. Gage named the organization after his “cuz” Hall, according to the organization’s website.

The “Harry” show reached out to Gage after the United Methodist Conference recognized him as an Amazing UMC Kid.

While on the Harry show, Connick donated over $11,000 worth of bike helmets with the help of Schwinn Bicycle Company to Just Cuz Helmets Matter.

Visit Just Cuz Helmets Matter on Facebook to watch a video of Gage Duke’s appearance on the “Harry” show.