WHEN it comes to a real scrap brave 12 year-old Louie Perkin can certainly tell his father a thing or two after winning the fight for life itself when battling leukaemia.

For it was Louie’s courage that has now inspired his dad Andy, from Bere Alston, to get into a big fight himself - although the stakes will not be so high, the doting dad will be putting on a pair of boxing gloves for the first time and climbing into the ring to face an unknown opponent.

Andy Perkin, a self employed plasterer, is determined to raise as much money as he can in tribute to the charity that helped save his son’s life.

The father of four is married to Mel, with daughters, Ellouise aged eight, and Ruby, aged three with another on the way. Louie, 12 and eldest Aaron, 13, are his children from a previous marriage.

Andy has volunteered to climb into the boxing ring to take part in the Ultra White Collar Boxing Fight in the Plymouth Guildhall on March 25 to raise money for Cancer Research UK. When he does Andy will no doubt be thinking of his son and all the battles he has so far overcome in his short life.

In 2008 Louie, then just aged three, was diagnosed with leukaemia. While fighting that deadly disease he also contracted a fungal infection behind his eyes, which left him blind in one eye and with just 85% vision in the other.

At one point, at Bristol Children’s Hospital where he was being treated, doctors said his chances of surviving were just 50 per cent.

His brain even swelled up to twice its normal size and the treatment left holes in some of his bones. He also has a clot in one of his arteries to the brain.

But somehow Louie beat the odds, even though he has to cope valiantly with the effects of his condition every day. His dad, along with the rest of the family and Louie’s buddy dog Heidi, are just so grateful to the doctors and nurses who helped him through.

His battle was recognised in 2012 when Louie won the Cancer Research UK Little Star Award for his bravery.

‘He’s a very lucky boy to be with us,’ said Andy. ‘Without the work of charities such as Cancer Research I’m sure his life would not have been saved. Getting into the boxing ring and taking a few punches is my way of giving something back, especially if it helps to help another child just like Louie - it will be worth it.’

The proud dad said despite Louie’s setback his son is a bright lad who has learned braille and sailed through his Year Six SATs. He loves mountain biking and enjoys a wide circle of friends.

To prepare for the big fight Andy trains two nights a week with 88 boxing hopefuls at the Masters’ Academy in Plymouth but also works out at Scott Dann’s Plympton Boxing Club. There he is being helped by Bere Alston’s own professional boxer ‘Destroyer’ Des Newton.

Des, who is a carpenter by trade, has known Andy for some years and has nothing but admiration for him.

He told the Times: ‘What Andy is doing is absolutely amazing. Its not for everybody to get into a boxing ring and put their body on the line. It takes someone special and you must put 100 per cent into it.

‘I know what it’s like to get up every morning to start training to get fit for a fight, do more training in the evening and on top of that try to make a living by working during the day. It’s tough.

‘I know Andy has giving up smoking and is putting everything in to this fight. He’s approaching this fight just like a professional and I’ve got huge respect for him and what’s he trying to achieve and for such a great cause.

Andy is not only a credit to himself but also to his family, to the boxing club and to the charity.’

For Andy himself, he’s finding all the training tough but satisfying,

‘My fitness levels have shot up and since giving up smoking I’ve felt ten times better. I’ve put everything into it and when I get into that ring I want to win. It’s as simple as that. I never knew boxing was so hard and I have huge respect for people like Des and what they have to go through even before stepping into the ring.

‘All this is definitely worth it though. This has already changed my life for the better. I have found something I enjoy and I intend to carry on after the fight is over. I don’t want to go back to smoking and drinking down the pub. I’m 44 now and I’ve got a baby on the way and a little three year-old. I want to see them, and all my children, grow up.’

Already he has raised more than £800 from his JustGiving website page and £500 backing from his local pub, The Edgcumbe, in Bere Alston, whichwill be holding a fundraising night on March 17.

The Victoria Social Club, in Bere Alston, will be also holding a special charity night on March 4, with all proceeds going to Cancer Research UK.

Andy is hoping to raise a few thousand pounds so if you would like to donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/AndyPerkin