A NEWPORT girl whose father is gravely ill is set to shave her head to raise money for his hospice.

Rhianna Mitchell, 16, from Malpas, is to fundraise for the St John's Hospice in Lancaster, where her father Glynn Mitchell, 49, is suffering from a brain tumour.

A hairdresser will shave Miss Mitchell's hair at her school, Llantarnam Comprehensive, on April 4.

Miss Mitchell said: "I know there's people in there in the same situation as my dad. I want to make it as comfortable as possible with the money I've raised.

"The hospice is really nice, they try their best to make everyone as happy as they can be. Because they rely on funding from the public I thought I would help them."

She said she's hoping to raise a £1,000 for the hospice in the north of England.

Mr Mitchell was diagnosed with a brain tumour last June, and has since undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

However Rhianna's mum and former wife of Mr Mitchell, Sally Mitchell, said his condition is deteriorating.

She said she didn't know that Rhianna was to raise money for the hospice until she came home from work one day.

"She said mum, I've phoned the hospice to speak to the fund raiser there and I am having my head shaved. She said she wants to do it to show she was thinking of him," said Ms Mitchell.

"I'm just so proud of her, at her age to do this I think is marvellous."

If you'd like to help call Ms Mitchell on 07944064572.