A TEENAGE leukaemia patient who made an impassioned plea for people to register as bone marrow donors is recovering after undergoing a transplant.

Harvey Gaydon, 14, of Darlington, is doing well after receiving new bone marrow at Newcastle General Hospital.

The brave youngster needed the transplant after extensive chemotherapy failed to cure his second bout of leukaemia.

Harvey, a Hummersknott School pupil, was first diagnosed with the disease when he was seven and went through nearly three years of chemotherapy.

But the leukaemia returned in November last year and doctors have now resorted to a bone marrow transplant.

Harvey’s body reacted badly to a drug used to wipe out his immune system in the run up to the transplant, but he recovered sufficiently for the new bone marrow to be infused.

Harvey’s mum, Caroline, said: “He is very tired at the moment, which is expected.

Nevertheless, he has an amazing attitude towards the whole procedure. He is really focused on doing what is necessary to get through this and back home.”

Caroline and husband Stuart have thanked well-wishers for their “amazing”

support, saying: “It is a real help knowing you are out there thinking of us.”

Harvey, who plays rugby for Mowden Under-14s in Darlington, faces up to eight weeks in an isolation unit as he waits for the new marrow to begin to work.

On the day he was admitted to hospital to prepare for his transplant, England and Newcastle Falcons rugby hero Jonny Wilkinson visited to give him support.

• For more details about becoming a bone marrow donor, visit anthony nolan.org.uk or call 020-7284-1234.

• Let’s cheer up Harvey! Leave your messages to Harvey in hospital via the form below.