THE search for a bone marrow donor for a Gwent boy who is in desperate need of a transplant is going global.

As the search for a potential bone marrow match for Marley Nicholls, 6, from Bettws continues his mum Shaney Truman says the family haven't given up hope.

"Marley is not giving up so I am not," she said. "We have an opportunity to save lives and people should take advantage of it.

"Marley has good and bad days, but he is OK. But we have no time to waste. Please don't wait for events to sign up to the register, you can sign up online."

DKMS is an international non-profit organisation who have more than eight million potential donors registered on their database.

They are planning to share the campaign to find a match for Marley across the world.

Ms Truman said: "It does give me hope, it's a bit overwhelming thinking that this is all going on, but we are not the only ones going through this and I hope loads of people can be helped because of our campaign."

DKMS are holding a number of registration events over the coming weeks and will also be holding a registration and fundraising collection at the Newport Dragons vs Cardiff Blues match on October 6, and people across the region are backing the campaign, including student midwives at Cardiff University who climbed Pen y Fan for the appeal.

Sarah Gray, donor recruitment manager at DKMS said: “Only one in three people with a blood cancer in the UK and in need of a lifesaving blood stem cell transplant will be lucky enough to find a suitable match within their own family.

"It’s vital that more people register to become potential lifesavers to help Marley and all patients like him in the future. If you are aged between 17-55 years old and in general good health please come along to one of the local events, or register online today for a home swab kit at www.dkms.org.uk.”

A bone marrow screening event will be held for potential donors on September 27 from 10am to 3pm at the Bellevue Restaurant Coffee Room at the Royal Gwent hospital in Newport.

There will also be an event on September 28 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.