NATIONAL kickboxing champion Caleb Bromley faces his biggest fight outside the ring if he is to realise his dream of taking on the world’s best.

The 14-year-old Little Lever School pupil has qualified to compete at the WKKC World Championships in Florida, USA, later this year after recently winning the national title in Bradford.

But he must fund the trip himself and needs to raise £2,500 to pay for his flight and accommodation.

Friends and family have joined forces to launch an online appeal to help the talented Farnworth fighter represent his country, raising more than £700 via the GoFundMe website over the past two months.

But with the tournament taking place in November, the clock is ticking.

“I am so proud of everything my son has achieved at such a young age,” said his mum, Natalie Bromley, who works as an estate agent in Bolton.

“He is naturally gifted but has worked so hard to make the most of his talent and I know he will smash it if we can just get him over there to compete.”

Natalie, who is a single parent, hopes to go with her son to cheer him on but says that all the money raised by the appeal will go on her son’s expenses, not to fund her own trip.

Caleb, who qualified as a black belt aged 11 and has been winning tournaments since he was five, was in the same situation last year, when he qualified to fight for England but was unable to fund a trip to Ireland.

His coach, Jamie Goulding, who trains Caleb at Goulding’s Martial Arts in Farnworth, is praying his young protégé does not miss out again.

“Caleb has been my student from the age of five and within the first few weeks I could see his potential,” he said.

“He has gone from strength to strength and is one of my best students, winning multiple titles and taking out some big names on the way.

“His potential is limitless and when he steps on the mat to fight people rush to watch. I'm proud to call him my student."

The minimum donation set by GoFundMe is just £5. To find out how you can help visit www.gofundme.com/t4czeck