Hundreds of potential donors stepped forward to help a 2-year-old boy, Gaurav Bains, who needs a bone marrow transplant to save his life.

Gaurav Bains has been diagnosed with a rare blood disorder and without a bone marrow transplant Gaurav could develop an aggressive form of Leukaemia.

Due to a shortage of Asian donors the family has been unable to find a match. Only four per cent of people on the stem cell register an Asian background. His parents, four year old sister and other relatives are incompatible.

More Asian need to register as donors in order to find Gaurav and others like him a stem cell match. The donors need to be aged between 17 and 55 years of age.

The more people who come forward and volunteer the higher the chance of finding a match for Gaurav. Even if unsuccessful, a match could still be made for other children and families in need of a transplant.

An event organised by Delete Blood Cancer UK and the Jaskomal Foundation was held at the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Havelock Road, Southall, last Sunday.

More than 700 people signed up as donors at the event in Southall.

The recruitment drive was supported by many individuals including H Dhami and Channi Singh of the Alaap group.

Ealing Southall MP Virendra Sharma and GLA member Dr Onkar Sahota was also there.

Presenters from BBC London and BBC Asian Network were there in support.

A donor could Gaurav and his family the best Christmas gift they could ask for.