A PROMISING 13-year-old rugby player was left devastated when he had to have his leg amputated after being diagnosed with cancer - six years after the disease took his mum’s life.

Talented young sportsman Olly Liddle thought he was suffering with growing pains in his right leg but continued to play rugby and take part in school athletics.

However, months later he and his dad Steve Liddle, 43, were told by doctors the teenager had osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer just under his knee.

Tragically, this is the second time the family have been struck by cancer as in 2012, Olly's mum, Kerrie Liddle, died after a gruelling two-year battle.

The "fantastic mother" and "perfect wife" passed away aged 42 while fighting breast cancer, when Olly was just seven and his brother Max was ten.

Widower Mr Liddle said the family was "hit really hard" when his son was diagnosed.

Businessman Mr Liddle, 43, said: “Eight years ago my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and since then it’s been a bit of a tragedy.

“While she was ill her father started to get Alzheimer’s and her mother was diagnosed with cancer as well. Sadly we lost both of them as my wife went through treatment and then my wife passed away in 2012.

“Fast forward six years, we were just about finding our feet when my son was diagnosed with bone cancer. I remember thinking: "Here we go again".

"It hit me really hard, two of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do is telling my boys their mother was never coming home and tell Olly he’s got cancer.”

Sporty Olly and his dad made the decision to have his leg amputated, rather than have doctors replace bone with metal, to remove the tumour.

However, it means he can no longer play contact sports such as rugby, leaving the young fly-half gutted.

The determined teenager now plans on competing in triathlons, with hopes of taking part in the Paralympics.

Mr Liddle, of Whitley Bay, said: “Fortunately the cancer is quite treatable, but we had to remove the tumour which was just below the knee.

“It meant either keeping the leg but replacing the bone with metal, which would limit movement, or amputate the leg which completely removes the tumour.

“It’s life changing but he’s trying his best to deal with it and at the moment we’ve just started the process of getting fitted for a leg."

“The chemo has not even touched him, he’s a proper little fighter, he’s getting through it like a true warrior.

“Finding out he can never play rugby again was hard on him, he loves playing and he’s really good at it too.

“He had a lot of promise and it’s tough for him as he’ll miss playing. Now he’s going to be looking at other sports he can take part in.

“There are plenty of options for people in his situation thankfully, so he’s thinking about trying to get into the Paralympics in the future. He’s really keen on competing in triathlons.”

Olly’s rugby team, Whitley Bay Rockcliff Rugby Club, shaved their heads to show solidarity with him and raise money for charity.

Mr Liddle said: “His rugby friends have been really, really good to him. We did a headshave because he was losing all his hair and the under 14s all did it with him.

“Then, loads of others joined in to and we had the under 16s doing it as well as they wanted to raise money, it was brilliant.”

Now, Mr Liddle has raised £4,515 for Cancer Research UK by stepping into a boxing ring for a charity fight.

Mr Liddle signed up to Ultra White Collar Boxing and received eight weeks of training.

Mr Liddle, who drew the fight, said: “I had never stepped into the ring before but I had to do it in memory of Kerrie and for Olly.

“The fight was really intense, I loved it, but I’m amazed at how generous everyone has been.”

Jon Leonard, who runs Ultra White Collar Boxing, said: “It was a magnificent effort by Steve and we were delighted to be able to give him the opportunity to raise so much money for Cancer Research. Olly’s bravery is truly inspirational. So many people’s lives are touched by cancer and we are just pleased that we can play some part in the fight against this truly dreadful disease.”

To donate visit goldengiving.com/w/rock4olly