A Bristol father will join Sir Ian Botham on a charity walk through Ashton Court to remember his "shining light".

Steve Tovey's son Ryan died of leukaemia last year, aged just seven years old.

And on April 13 he will be walking with the England and Somerset cricket legend known as Beefy to help raise vital funds for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

The 47-year-old admits it will be a day of mixed emotions for him, his wife Rachel and 12-year-old daughter Gemma, but he is proud to be walking in Ryan's name.

"Ryan was our shining star," said Steve, of Huckley Way, Bradley Stoke. "I was so proud of Ryan – he never gave up. He was so brave. I want to do this walk because so much is known about acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) but there is very little known about Ryan's disease – acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). I just want to raise money so that more research can be done in to this horrendous disease."

Ryan was diagnosed in October 2007 and immediately underwent a six-month course of intensive chemotherapy.

After the chemo, Ryan seemed to have reached remission and the first couple of months went well, but soon there were lots of complications.

While the family were on holiday in Lanzarote, Steve and Rachel, 38, noticed bruises on Ryan's body.

When they returned to England, he was immediately taken to hospital where blood tests confirmed their worst fear – the leukaemia had returned.

Consultants at Bristol Children's Hospital suggested a bone-marrow transplant and after finding a donor from the US, Ryan had the procedure. But complications emerged and Ryan died six weeks later at Charlton Farm Children's Hospice, last August 24.

Ryan went to Baileys Court primary school and loved nothing better than playing computer games with his best friend Shay Norris.

Dad Steve, who has already done a charity sky dive, added: "I think what Ian Botham has done for the cause is brilliant. I saw on the news that he was going to do another walk and I wanted to get involved.

"I can't do anything for Ryan any more, but I can do something to raise money to help other children like him. Ryan was always up to mischief and was full of life. He was such a lovely lad. As a family, we would like to thank everyone at the Children's Hospital and Charlton Farm hospice."

Sir Ian said: "Children like Ryan are the reason I keep walking. I need people to sign up now and help us fight this terrible disease."

Sir Ian will be setting out on the fourth day of his special 25th anniversary charity walk from Marks & Spencer in Broadmead. He will walk for 10 miles through the city before heading to Ashton Court, where members of the public can walk with him.

To join the walk visit www.beefy25.com or call David Blandford on 0207 6855143. To support Steve visit http://original.just giving.com/stephentovey.

For more information, log on to www.llresearch.org.uk.