A RUGBY champ will go head to head with a bodybuilder – in aid of poorly Ted.

The white collar boxing bout will raise money towards redesigning Ted Grove-Welsh’s home.

Richard White, a Swindon St George rugby player who has never boxed before, said that he was fighting for the “charismatic” youngster.

Ted, 9, was born with Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency (AADC) – a debilitating genetic condition that has left him unable to walk or stand.

The condition is so rare that it wasn’t until Ted turned 17 months that doctors began to realise what was wrong. AADC effects just 100 children worldwide.

Parents Zoe and Sven are determined to give the boy as normal an upbringing as possible.

They are putting in aids around their Peatmoor house to help Ted live comfortably at home.

But it doesn’t come cheap. The estimated £50,000 costs are partly covered by a £30,000 grant.

Dad Sven Grove, 39, said: “The lift that Ted needs to get upstairs costs the best part of £10,000.

“He’s a very happy and smiley boy. He’s just got this beautiful smile. There’s so much life in him.”

Friends of Ted’s parents have fundraised for the youngster for years. Last year, Sven’s teammates from Swindon St George rugby league club climbed Snowdon in aid of the boy.

But this is the first time a boxing match has been fought over Ted.

Richard, a Kingshill dad-of-two, has been in training for four months for his Saturday night Meca bout.

“I’m not built for running a half marathon, so that was out of the question,” Richard joked.

He said he was struck by Ted’s smile and “charisma” from first meeting him.

“I’ve got two beautiful kids,” he added. “If, God forbid, anything happened to them I’d like to think my friends would help.”

Richard was introduced to Dan Hughes, owner of Scorpion Kickboxing Gym, where he has been training free of charge for the charity bout.

He said: “It’s become my second home.

“I feel good. All the hard work and training is finished. All that’s left is to try and get a good result for Ted – and try not to get my head knocked in.”

Ted’s dad, Sven, added: “Knowing what Richard’s like he’ll give it his absolute all. He’s such a genuine, caring chap.”

To support Ted, visit: www.gofundme.com/TedsSmile.