A regional daily reporter underwent surgery to donate bone marrow which could save the life of a sick youngster.

Bolton News reporter Liam Thorp, left, signed up to the Anthony Nolan donor register last year after his sister told him about a work colleague who needed a lifesaving bone marrow transplant as he was battling stage four 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Seven months later, Liam was told he was a match for another recipient and had surgery at Sheffield’s Hallamshire Hospital just before Christmas.

The hour-long operation, which removed bone marrow from Liam’s pelvic bone, went smoothly and the 25-year-old was recovering well over the Christmas period.

“All I know about the recipient of my bone marrow is that it is a boy under 16 and that this transplant will represent his last chance of survival, a notion that has remained with me throughout the process,” Liam told the Bolton News.

“My mum had travelled with me and the charity arranged for her to stay in a nearby hotel, I may be a 25-year-old man but I have no problem in admitting the comfort that was drawn from having my mum by my side during the process.

“The doctors had told me to expect to feel run down as my body reacts to losing a litre of bone marrow, and I have been more than happy to allow friends and family to wait on me hand and foot — let’s be honest I’ll never have a better excuse.

“My less helpful friends had teased me about the unimaginable pain I would feel after the op — but that has not been the case.

“I have been on painkillers but I would compare the sensation to having a pulled muscle in my lower back, which has eased with every passing day.

“Probably the most powerful effect has been an overwhelming lethargy that has left me rooted to the sofa in front of the television and echoing scenes from my hazy student years.”

Liam’s bone marrow was taken straight to the recipient to start a crucial period for the young boy as he fights for his life.

“The charity could connect me with the family if things have gone well but in the meantime I will rest safe in the knowledge that by donating my bone marrow, that boy will have been given a fighting chance,” he added.

“It was a strange sequence of events that led me to sign up and I never thought I would be a match, but it is something I am immensely proud of and I would implore others to sign up to see if they too could find potentially save a life.”

For more information about Anthony Nolan visit www.anthonynolan.org