A NEWPORT head teacher is offering to help campaigners fighting to get vital treatment for a past pupil with a crippling condition.

Goff Davies, head of Hartridge High, said his school will help raise funds to get past pupil Simon Henson a brain operation to ease his rare condition.

Mr Henson, 34, of Bishpool, Newport, suffers from Dystonia, a condition that has left the former fitness instructor and keen rugby player with painful spasms and a permanently twisted neck.

Health Commission Wales (HCW) turned down his request to fund a pioneering brain operation at an English hospital.

They said the deep brain stimulation offered by professor Tipu Aziz at Radcliffe Hospital in Oxfordshire, costing £25,000, was "unproven", a claim slammed as 'ridiculous' by Mr Aziz.

Neighbour Wendy Watkins and friend Claire Hammett are planning a fundraising drive to pay for the procedure, as well as a petition to put pressure on HCW.

Goff Davies, head of Hartridge High school, said: "I was asked whether there was any possibility of the school helping out.

"I was happy to say yes, I would like to do something to help the poor fellow.

"It seems a particularly sad case really. In our welfare state I would like all operations to be funded by the NHS."

Mr Davies, a former rugby player who played in the famous Pontypool teams of the 1970s and 80s, said he sympathised with Mr Henson, who played rugby for Hartridge and Newport Saracens.

Mr Davies said: "I think it's sad for Simon. He was a very fit young man and a rugby player and this is a great contrast in his fortunes. We are more than happy to help the campaign."

The school is planning several fundraising events, including a non-school uniform day. Wendy Watkins said: "We approached Mr Davies because Simon is a former pupil of Hartridge and played rugby for them.

"Mr Davies was great. As soon as he saw the Argus article he made his mind up to help." Wendy and Claire are now trying to register their campaign as a charity.

They already have more than 100 signatures on their petition less than a week after starting.

Wendy added: "As soon as we get the go ahead we will start street collections.

So many people are signing the petition after reading about Simon's plight in the Argus."