Despite still trying to come to terms with the loss of his dad from leukaemia just four months ago, the youngster wants to help others.

Arun (9) will walk across the Forth Road Bridge to raise sponsorship cash for Leukaemia CARE, the charity which provides support for sufferers and their families.

His dad, Thomas, was only 44 when he died on April 30 in the Beatson Oncology Unit in Glasgow.

Known as Big Tam, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia last September.

Earlier this year his sister Morag Cantwell donated bone marrow. But although the transplant was successful, he caught an infection and died from septicaemia.

Now Arun and Morag, who lives in Stenhousemuir, plan to cross the bridge twice in a three mile trek on Sunday, August 31.

The youngster, a primary five pupil at Victoria Primary School, has already collected over £700.

He said: "I want to help people with leukaemia like my dad and that's why I decided to do the walk. I like walking and I'm going to get lots of practice by walking up and down the street."

Mum Sandra (40) said: "I'm so proud of him. It was his idea because he was determined to do something to raise money."

Arun will be taking a very friend w special soft toy with him on the walk.

Sandra said: "When Arun couldn't get into the hospital to see his dad, he sent John Teddy in his place. It used to get tucked up in bed with him."

The whole family, including sisters Laura (21), Adele (20) and brother Callan (17), are helping with the fundraising. They've also had lots of sponsorship forms filled in at Balfour's chip shop close to their home in Westfield Street, Falkirk.

Sandra said: "People have been coming to the door to hand in money and we can't thank everyone enough. It's amazing how much money one little boy is managing to raise."

The family has been hit by tragedy in recent years: Tam's daughter Lauren died from cystic fibrosis in 2006, aged just 15, and, four weeks after her husband's death, Sandra's sister died.

She said: "We've had a terrible time but everyone is now focusing on Arun's sponsored walk and trying to raise as much money as possible."

After he recovers from the exertions of his sponsored walk, Arun will have a special treat to look forward to thanks to the employees at AHL of Airth where his dad worked as a lorry driver. They handed over £1000 for the youngster and his mum to go to Disneyland Paris next month.