A PORTISHEAD schoolboy has landed himself in hot water while raising money for charity.

The Parish family, who live in Brendon Road, decided to raise money for Cancer Research after a three-year-old relative from Clevedon was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Josh, aged 13, his mum Claire and two sisters Sophie and Shannon wanted to do something positive, so have organised a family fun day to support the charity.

To raise awareness of the event and the cause, the family members dyed their hair pink, but Josh, who is a pupil at Gordano School, got into trouble because it is against the school rules.

Josh said: “Because I went to school with pink hair I was sent to isolation which means I had to miss my proper lessons and had to work on my own for over a week as a punishment. I thought it would be okay with the teachers because dying my hair was for a good reason, but they didn’t agree.”

Josh’s mum says she is proud her family pulled together to do something to help Cancer Research and has been shocked at the school’s reaction.

She said: “I am furious about the way the school reacted. It was only a wash out dye but Josh has fair hair and even though we kept washing it, it didn’t fade that much so in the end we had to dye it brown just so he could get back in to lessons.”

When contacted by The Times the school declined to comment.

n The fun day, which includes a performance by dance troupe Audacity, a pink fashion show, a pink cake sale, refreshments and a raffle, takes place on Saturday at Avon Way Hall from 11am-4pm. Admission is free. Claire says they have a target of �1,000 and will keep going with fundraising events and activities until they reach it. Anyone wanting to contribute can also donate by visiting www.justgiving.com/ClaireParish27010