Joke in Havant pub becomes reality as punters prepare for boxing match for brave boy with cancer

A joke over a few drinks in a Havant pub for friends to fight in a fundraising boxing match has left both punters with the Eye of the Tiger as they prepare to go into battle for a “lovely little boy”.

Prince of Wales pub drinker Patrick Brain is preparing to take on fellow boozer Joe Forrest as they bid to raise funds for brave three-year-old Finley Barrett, who is undergoing chemotherapy as he fights a kidney cancer, known as Wilms.

A heartwarming meeting between Fin, accompanied by his mum Donna Deacon, and the fighters took place at the East Street watering hole alongside others who have helped to make the idea a reality.

Landlady Ally Brooker said she already had a charity bucket for Fin, of Emsworth, but wanted to do more.

A chat over a few drinks between Billy Bessey, who runs a Leigh Park boxing gym, and Patrick, known as Pattie, sparked inspiration as it was decided a boxing match would be held at South Parade Pier in Southsea on a yet to be determined date in November.

Donna, speaking of Fin’s illness and the outpouring of support, said: “Fin’s been ok. At school they said he was not himself with him napping and not eating so I took him to hospital before they found something and he was rushed to the emergency paediatric unit.”

After scans confirmed he had cancer he was given urgent treatment and is said to be doing “fine” by Donna.

Speaking of the support, she added: “I’ve got no words. I’m just so overwhelmed. We’re just normal people…why would people do this for us? I thank them all and really appreciate it.”

Patrick said: “I was in the pub and Bill asked me if I wanted to do a boxing match for the little boy…I didn’t really want to do it but he persuaded me after I’d had a few drinks.

“He said I was a household name in Leigh Park and ‘we’ll be able to sell a load of tickets so just do it’. I woke up the next morning thinking I’ve done the right thing.”

Joe said: “I mentioned to Billy I’d like to have a go at it, I’ve never done boxing before. The opportunity came about to raise some funds for Fin’s charity and Pattie came on board so we’ve started training now. It’s going well, I'm really enjoying it.”

Ally said: “I popped out and came back and they were joking about having a boxing match. Pattie had had a few drinks but went with it. I’m not sure how Joe got dragged in as he wasn’t even there.

“I thought Pattie would say he wasn’t going to do it but they are taking it very seriously now. They’re not drinking, they're running, going to the gym - my takings are well down. The weight has fallen off them.”

Ally said Joe, 46, and Pattie, around 10 years younger, are determined to raise as much money as possible for brave Fin after his battle was brought to the pub’s attention. “We just had to do something. We have a charity bucket which already has a few hundred pounds in it in just two weeks,” she said.

“Fin is such a happy kid despite everything. He’s lost his hair and has a scar on his stomach and is 12 weeks into chemotherapy out of 34 weeks. But if you heard him you would think he was a normal kid,” Ally said.

“He can’t help the nurses enough when he stays at hospital. He’a a lovely little boy.

“His parents have to stay with him for a few days at a time. His mum can no longer work because she has to be there with him.

“We just want to support them and raise enough money for Fin to get his wish of going on a plane. Everyone wanted to meet Fin so it was arranged for him to come in.”