A MOTHER is preparing to step into the boxing ring to face her best friend to help the hospital which helped save her son's life.

Nikki Morris will go toe-to-toe with Laura Potter - who is godmother to her two-year-old - as part of a boxing fundraiser which aims to raise thousands for worthy North-East organisations.

The Darlington pair agreed to face each other in the ring after Ms Morris’ little boy, Liam, was born with a hole in his heart.

He received life-saving treatment at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital for half a year and is now a healthy and happy youngster.

His mother and godmother intend to repay a debt of gratitude to the hospital and the staff who helped give Liam a new lease of life.

Ms Potter, 31, said: “If it hadn’t been for the fantastic care Liam received at the Freeman in the first six months of his life he might not have been with us.

“When he was born he couldn’t even breathe by himself. The experts told Nikki he couldn’t have the open heart surgery he needed until he reached seven kilograms or three months old.”

The best pals took up the corporate boxing challenge issued by Taking Care of Business organisers, Darlington's former world bantamweight champion, Stuart Hall, and personal trainer, Johnny Harrison.

Their recent appeal in The Northern Echo to recruit more would-be female fighters inspired the pugilistic pair to sign up to the event at the town’s Dolphin Centre.

Ms Potter, of Grangemoor Close, added: “I’m ex-Army so the training was pretty familiar to me and getting into the ring holds no fears. In fact, I’ve enjoyed the training so much I’m thinking about continuing my boxing career afterwards.

“We’ll both be trying to win but what goes on in the ring stays in the ring. We’ll both have a good laugh about it over a drink afterwards.”

After agreeing to join the cause, trainer Mr Harrison, matched the two friends to face each other in the ring.

“We carefully match contestants of equal ability so the bouts are fair. Nikki and Laura were a perfect fit and whoever wins, it’s all going to be for a great cause,” he said.

“We’ve had a fantastic response. We’ll see a tremendous display of girl power on the night.”

Other contestants from across the town will be facing each other for the fight night with a difference on Saturday evening (July 16).

Guests will be able to pledge donations to the best friends turned boxing buddies and other competitors taking part during the course of the show’s match-ups.

For more information on fundraising or for tickets to Taking Care of Business on Saturday, July 16, visit corporatepersonalfitness.co.uk/events

To donate to Ms Potter's fundraising effort, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Laura-Potter8