THOUSANDS of people have joined the national bone marrow donor register after they were inspired by a boy who urgently needs a transplant.

The Marrow for Marley campaign was launched on August 10 and since then 20,000 people have joined the bone marrow register through Anthony Nolan and DKMS, a charity who fight against blood cancer.

Marley Nicholls,6 , from Bettws desperately needs a bone marrow transplant as he is fighting a rare blood condition called aplastic anaemia.

Sadly, despite the thousands of people who have joined the register after finding out about the appeal, no match for Marley has been found.

Marley’s mum Shaney Truman said: "Marley is OK at the moment, but he gets very tired. He’s missing all his friends but is as good as can be."

People have been sharing selfies on social media with the message ‘ I’ve joined the bone marrow register, have you?’ in an effort to get even more people to sign up.

Registration events are taking place in the coming weeks including one the Bellevue Restaurant Coffee Room at the Royal Gwent hospital in Newport on September 27 from 10am to 3pm.

On September 28 swabbing for potential donors will be done in the community foyer at Tesco in Risca from 10am to 4pm.

A fundraiser and swabbing event will be held at the Llanwern Bull on September 29 from 12pm.

Following the success of a registration event at Rodney Parade during a Newport County AFC match where hundreds of people signed up as donors, they will return to the stadium on October 6.

“We have an opportunity to save a life we should be taking full advantage because it’s so easy,” Ms Truman said.

“We would also like to encourage everyone who is doing a swab test at home to make sure they’re posting them back as quick as possible."

Find out more about the Marrow for Marley campaign at facebook.com/marrowformarley.

If you’re aged between 17 and 55 and in general good health register online for your home swab kit at dkms.org.uk/register-now.