Leukaemia victim Nicola Coates has been making a good recovery since her recent relapse.

Nicola's father David, from Wheldrake, said doctors now want her to build up her strength to the point when they can put her on another course of chemotherapy.

"She is progressing reasonably well and at the weekend enjoyed a brief time at home," he said.

"The plan for Nicola for the next two or three weeks, as outlined by her doctors, is to build her strength and, with careful monitoring and the inevitable drugs, to get her to a position where she will be ready to start the next phase of chemotherapy."

But the 24-year-old student still needs a bone marrow transplant to help her make a full recovery, and the Evening Press campaign to find potential donors for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust continues.

Mr Coates thanked the trust's workers for their "sterling and unstinting efforts" to find new donors, and also Evening Press readers - more than 100 so far - who have come forward to join the trust's register.

Meanwhile, fundraising for the trust - vital if the charity is to continue expanding its register of potential donors - moves into top gear this weekend with two sponsored events.

Firstly, Harrogate youngster India Farmer will mark the first anniversary of her successful bone marrow transplant for leukaemia by going on a sponsored pony-and-trap ride from Harrogate to Thirsk and back.

Her mother, Joanna, said she hopes to raise many hundreds of pounds for the trust on the ride, which sets off from outside the Granby Hotel at 10am tomorrow.

Then, on Sunday, dozens of cyclists from all over Yorkshire will set off on a sponsored bike ride from the trust's regional HQ at Follifoot, near Harrogate. The ride was pre-publicised recently by Julie Hesmondhalgh, alias Coronation Street's Hayley, who met India at the trust's HQ.

Julie had hoped to be able to attend the start of the race but is now unable to do so because of other commitments. However, India has now been invited over to the Coronation Street set next week to meet a host of Corrie stars, said her mother Joanna.

The Anthony Nolan Trust relies on fundraising to meet all its running costs, which equate to about £50 for every person joining the register.

See Donor section

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