Emily Pierce, from Skidby, faces a race against time to find a matching bone marrow donor to provide the life-saving transplant she needs to beat the illness.

Doctors have told Miss Pierce she desperately needs a bone marrow transplant after she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in September.

Now the family of the 18-year-old, who is a student at Bishop Burton College and who recently qualified as a gym instructor, are appealing for people to attend a special session set up by the Anthony Nolan Trust to join the charity's bone marrow register – in the hope her life-saver can be found.

Emily's mother, Joanne Pierce, said: "Emily has just spent five days in ICU in a very fragile position.

"When you are suddenly told to prepare for the worst it hits home that time is so important to anyone with this illness, as the situation can change so quickly.

"Every name added to The Anthony Nolan Trust register is a step closer to helping someone get that donor match as soon as they need it."

The session will take place where Emily works, at Cottingham Parks Golf and Leisure Club, in Woodhill Way, Cottingham, from 4pm to 8pm on Tuesday, December 8.

Donor recruitment manager at the charity Charlotte Connolly said anyone signing up could help to save a life.

She said: "Seventy per cent of patients needing a transplant can't find a compatible donor from within their families.

"Emily is one of them and is relying on the generosity of strangers to come forward and sign up to be a potential donor.

"Please come along to find out more. If you're not a match for Emily, you could save the life of one of 16,000 people in need of a transplant."