AN ARTICLE in the Okehampton Times has sparked a nationwide appeal to find a bone marrow match for leukaemia sufferer Kimberley Allistone.

Interviews with BBC radio and Carlton TV have led to Kim's plight touching the heart of explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and boxer Barry McGuigan whose daughter suffered from the disease.

An appeal was made to distant relations in the Okehampton/ Chagford area, from where Kim's family originated, in the Times last month and since then many long lost family members have taken the vital blood tests which could reveal a suitable match.

The 28-year-old Taunton resident, who needs to have a bone marrow transplant by March next year to increase her chances of survival, had to look further afield after a match was not found among her brothers and sisters.

Her family are hoping as many people as possible will attend blood donor sessions in Okehampton on December 7 and 8 not only to help Kim but other sufferers of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia.

Kim's husband, Patrick, will be on the streets of Okehampton today (Thursday) and tomorrow handing out leaflets advertising the sessions.

'I did the same thing in Wellington and it was the biggest turnout at the blood donor sessions in living memory,' he said.

'Extra nurses had to be enlisted to help take blood and we have been told since that lives have already been saved and record numbers of tissue typing took place.'

Kim has done three BBC radio slots, appeared on Carlton TV and two magazines have approached her for an interview.

'Our MP Jackie Ballard has helped us and given the contacts to canvas all the county councils nationwide to appeal for blood donors via wage-slips to their staff,' added Patrick.

'The idea is to clear the backlog of some 7,000 patients waiting for a bone marrow transplant and collect as much blood as possible for the National Health Service.'

He said his main aim was to find a bone marrow match for his wife, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in August, but there were also many others in the same situation.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who has added his voice to the appeal, said he supported courage in the face of leukaemia: 'This temporary setback is like a mountain to be successfully climbed.'

Support has also been received from boxer Barry McGuigan and his family who held a charity event last Saturday.

The blood donor sessions in Okehampton will be at the Charter Hall between 1.30pm and 3.30pm and 5pm and 7.15pm on December 7 and 8.

While giving blood please ask for a tissue typing for bone marrow donors.