A NURSERY teacher from Port Glasgow has graduated to the school of hard knocks after signing up for a fundraising kickboxing challenge.

Craig Scott, deputy head at Gibshill Children’s Centre in Greenock, is in training for a big fight night next month in aid of charity Brightest Star, which supports parents dealing with the loss of a child.

It is part of the ‘Stand Up Stand Out’ event being run by Robert McCallum Kickboxing in Renfrew, where the married dad-of-one is halfway through an eight week training programme to get ready for his ring debut.

He is also being helped by five-year-old son Lucas, who has a yellow belt in the martial art and attends Jackie Marshall’s Port Glasgow club.

Craig, 35, told the Tele: “I did kickboxing years ago and fancied trying it again and then this came up.

“My friend Neil Duffy is a black belt at the club and also encouraged me to do it.

“Brightest Star supports families that have lost children and because I work in early years and I’m a father myself I wanted to do it.”

Craig is training two nights a week as well as running and increasing his sessions at the gym to ensure he is in peak condition for the fight.

He said: “It’s been tough.

“I always thought I was reasonably fit but going to this is a different kettle of fish.

“I’ve got pains in places I never thought existed!

“Robert and the guys who run the kickboxing club are fantastic. They’re very experienced and knowledgeable and there’s a great team spirit.

“Lucas has also been showing me how to kick.”

Craig has already exceeded his £100 fundraising target and is currently sitting at over £140.

But he hopes more people can dig deep between now and the fight on August 11 to sponsor him.

Craig would like to thank Arnold Clark and Greenock Morton for donations of raffle prizes.

To sponsor him visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/craig-scott13