THE dad of a two-year-old boy who underwent life-changing surgery is putting himself in the ring after signing up to take part in a White Collar boxing night this Saturday, November 3, to help a surgeon heal more little hearts.

Terry Travis, 35, and his wife Michelle, 34, from Laffak, were told by five doctors that their son James would only be able to have part of his heart repaired, which would result in him having a limited life.

But in September last year, the Star reported that Alder Hey Children’s Hospital surgeon Dr Ramana Dhannapuneni, took 10 hours performing a two-ventricle repair on a complex congenital heart defect.

This will hopefully mean James can live a long and happy life.

As a thank you for all he has done, parents of children helped by the wonder surgeon have grouped together to raise funds for him to go to foreign countries with a charity called Healing Little Hearts, which provide free heart surgery to babies and children where there is no NHS or free health care system.

Terry, who admits hi much prefers a sit on the sofa with a brew to exercising, has turned his life upside down to get ready for the White Collar boxing fight at Black E in Liverpool from 7pm, with tickets costing £25 each or £30 on the door.

He said: “My other lad is only eight but he’s an orange belt in kickboxing, so he’s been helping me as well as trainers to get me into shape.

“It’s really really hard work, the wife kind of got me into it, but when I think about how many children like James it will help then I know it is worth it.

“Us and other parents have already raised funds for several camps now, and one little baby got the same surgery as James, that’s what this man does he saves lives.

“We just keep thinking of how lucky we are to have the NHS and somewhere to go with our children but it’s easy to forget until it happens to you that others aren’t so lucky.”

“If you can please come along or donate, it really will go towards saving babies lives.”

To donate to Terry visit bit.ly/terryfight