A DAD who is scared of heights is preparing to abseil from an iconic bridge to help the charity which has supported his daughter during her brain tumour battle.

Rob Spong, 40, will abseil from the Newport Transporter Bridge for the Noah’s Ark Appeal to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital of Wales charity after daughter Lacey-Mae was diagnosed with a benign pilocytic astrocytoma in 2016.

The five-year-old Holton primary pupil has now completed chemotherapy and the tumour has shrunk thanks to the care and treatment she has received at the Children’s Hospital for Wales.

She had her “ringing the bell” ceremony – which children have on chemo completion – in front of family and medical staff on July 21 this year. Her feeding tube has been removed and her medication has reduced, but she continues to undergo physiotherapy on her left side, following a stroke.

Mr Spong will take the 278 steps up, and complete a 178 foot abseil down Newport’s Transporter Bridge on Sunday, October 8. He has so far raised more than £450 but wants to raise more.

Lacey-Mae was diagnosed with the tumour in July last year after complaining of feeling unwell since the beginning of that year.

Her eyesight had deteriorated and she was suffering bad headaches.

She underwent a nine-hour operation, to remove as much of the tumour as possible, but she lost her eyesight and had a stroke. Her eyesight has returned but is limited.

Mr Spong, of St Mary’s Avenue, in Barry, said his partner Lacey-Mae’s mother, Donna McClelland, 35, had forbidden him from attempting Mount Everest, so he decided to take on the bridge.

He said everyone involved had helped Lacey-Mae feel safe and secure by trying to make her stay like being at home.

They helped her play and aided her through many painful physio sessions with distraction and reward techniques.

He said: “I want to raise funds and awareness for the Noah’s Ark appeal. They were all a big part of our lives and they still are.

"They have done so much for us.

Speaking about the challenge he said: "I’m starting to get worried now. It’s only a few weeks away, but it’s my way of trying to give something back."

Donate via justgiving.com/fundraising/robert-spong