Benefactor's tap on the head for a boy (6)

I believe the answer is:

patron

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'benefactor's' is the definition.
(patron is a kind of benefactor)

'tap on the head for a boy' is the wordplay.
'tap on the head for' becomes 'pat' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a boy' becomes 'ron' (short for Ronald).
'pat'+'ron'='PATRON'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for patron that I've seen before include "Financial supporter - customer" , "With help, he" , "Saint" , "Pot ran out for protector" , "Regular customer or sponsor" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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