A CANCER sufferer s daughter has symbolically shaved her head to raise money for research into the disease. Jo Arundel, aged 35, from St Albans, collected more than £2,000 for Cancer Research when she shed her locks on her father s birthday. She decided o

A CANCER sufferer's daughter has symbolically shaved her head to raise money for research into the disease.

Jo Arundel, aged 35, from St Albans, collected more than £2,000 for Cancer Research when she shed her locks on her father's birthday.

She decided on the drastic action when her dad, 67-year-old Ken Russell, was diagnosed with the incurable disease myeloma, or stem cell cancer, last September. He is currently undergoing treatment to prolong his life.

As Mr Russell has also lost his hair through chemotherapy he was "very touched" by Jo's head shave, which was performed by her neighbour.

The mother-of-two, who lives in Holyrood Crescent and works as a midwife at Watford General Hospital, also wanted to raise maximum awareness about the cause and is still hoping to drum up more funds for the cancer charity.

She said: "I don't need my hair but I do need my dad. Please, please, please sponsor me and help fund research into treatments and one day we may eradicate this awful disease."

After reading about Jo's story in the Herts Advertiser, children's author Marion Hertz from Radlett offered to help her raise more money.

Marion wrote a self-published book named Wellington Wizard of Wishes because she was disappointed by many of the books on offer for her seven young grandchildren.

She has raised more than £2,000 so far for charity through the sale of the book and gave Jo some of them to sell for £2, of which half will be put towards her nominated charity.

The book, which depicts the story of a bear who makes 13 wishes a year for the good of others, can be purchased through Jo or Marion, who can be emailed on marionhertz@yahoo.co.uk

And people can still sponsor Jo by visiting her online donation page at www.justgiving.com/joarundel