A HAMPSHIRE charity has unveiled a national newsreader as its new celebrity patron.

ITV presenter Mary Nightingale is the new patron of the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity.

The mother-of-two has been a long-term supporter of the Fareham-based charity’s work, hosting events and raising awareness of what it does with families who have children with a life threatening or terminal illness.

Her first role will be hosting Rainbow Trust’s hugely popular annual fundraiser, Trust in Fashion, at London’s Savoy Hotel on March 10.

She said: “I have children of my own and can’t imagine how hard it must be when your child is diagnosed with a life threatening illness.

“I’m happy to do everything I can to raise awareness about the fantastic work that the Rainbow Trust does.”