A BONE marrow donor is hoping to save a life and raise cash for others by being sponsored for the operation.

Nick Cottle, of Eva Avenue in Rawcliffe, York, first signed up to the national bone marrow donor register 15 years ago, after hearing about the plight of a young leukaemia sufferer desperate for a transplant.

He was not a match, but a decade-and-a-half later Nick has received a letter saying he was a potential match for a man and asking if he was still willing to help.

Since then he has been for tests, found he was compatible for the unnamed recipient, and will undergo the operation next Tuesday.

Nick wants to go one step further and also raise as much money as possible for the Anthony Nolan Trust which keeps a register of willing bone marrow donors and helps people suffering from leukaemia.

Nick, who works as a signaller in York for Network Rail, said: “It’s something I want to do and now it’s quite exciting. I was born in 1970 and had to have two blood transfusions.

“If no one had given blood then I might not be here, so it’s about giving something back.

“It’s not a 100 per cent guarantee, it’s about a 60 per cent chance that it will be a success, but if it doesn’t work at least I’ve tried to help somebody.”

The 38-year-old, who is married with two children, said his family was behind him.

He said: “My wife, Nanette, is all for it. She says it’s up to me. The children are excited about it and sponsored me their £1 pocket money.”

The operation involves the marrow being extracted from Nick with a syringe under general anaesthetic. The short-term after-effects of the donation include tiredness and a variable degree of discomfort, bruising and stiffness in the lower back as the marrow is taken from the cavities in the hip bone.

But it will be all worth it if Nick can save the life of the man earmarked to be the recipient. He has already raised more than £700, but would like to raise more. Money can be donated online at www.justgiving.com/nickcottle

Alternatively, send cheques made payable to the Anthony Nolan Trust c/o Richard Harris at The Press, 76/86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.