GEOFF HAMM could die within months unless he receives the special help he so desparately needs.

Mr Hamm, 60, has a rare bone marrow disorder called myelodysplasia, causing white cell failure and leukaemia.

It was diagnosed in January and now he is nearing the date of his fourth and last bout of chemotherapy. His chances of surviving beyond this date are diminishing with every day that a suiuable donor is not found.

Attempts to find a match within the family have proved unsuccessful.

The Bromley Extra, on behalf of Mr Hamm's family, has launched an appeal in a bid to save his life.

In an emotional appeal, Mr Hamm's daughter Susan Betts, who lives in West Wickham, near Bromley, said: "Please help me to help my dad. It seems so surreal, like it’s not really happening."

Mr Hamm, a retired BT engineer from Croydon, is in isolation at the Princess Royal Hospital, Farnborough. The risk of infection is so high he cannot leave his hospital bed.

Fiona Kearns, a haematology nurse specialist responsible for Mr Hamm's care, said: "The next batch of chemotherapy will have to be his last as the body cannot take much more. His only chance of a cure is to find a suitable donor."

People willing to help are asked to contact the Anthony Nolan trust. Finding a donor depends on people who join the register. Donors must be:

* Aged between 18 and 40

* In good health

* Weigh over eight stone

If a suitable match is found, the donor should be prepared to donate bone marrow under general anaesthetic which involves a short stay in hospital. Anthony Nolan pay all expenses and loss of earnings during the recovery period.

Contact Anthony Nolan on 0207 284 1234; or call the 24-hour Donor Hotline on 0901 88 22 234, (calls charged at 25p per minute); or visit www.anthonynolan.org.uk

There will be an open clinic donation session at Benson Primary School, West Way, Shirley, Croydon, on Wednesday, July 12, between 4pm-7pm. Contact Anthony Nolan for more information.

The Bromley Extra, part of the KM Group, is appealing to its readers to find a suitable space to hold a donor session in partnership with Anthony Nolan. If your school or club has access to a community hall contact the newsdesk on 020 8308 7401 or email rmyers@thekmgroup.co.uk