AN AMAZING 15,000 people have come forward to throw a lifeline to a tiny Hamp-shire baby.

And that figure makes it one of the biggest ever responses to an appeal to help find a bone marrow donor.

It comes after the Daily Echo carried the touching public plea of seven-year-old Emma Heaton to help save her baby sister Beth's life.

The five-month-old suffers from a rare blood disorder and may have just months left to live.

Staff from the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust are now sifting through all those who came forward in a desperate bid to find a match for Beth.

The response has been so great that they believe they will also find bone marrow donors who could help save the lives of other sufferers.

Beth and Emma's dad Stuart Heaton said: "It's a massive number for a local appeal - the trust people are overwhelmed. Everyone is working very hard to find a match for Beth.

"The trust has limited resources and can test only about 350 people a week, so it will take time to process all the results.

"But so many potential donors have come forward that lives are bound to be saved - and hopefully one of them will be Beth's."

Beth has now left Southampton General Hospital, but has to return for several hours each day for vital treatment. Her condition continues to vary from day to day.

Emma, who also pleaded for donors on BBC's City Hospital programme set at Southampton General, was just three years old when another sister, eight-month-old Katie, died from a bowel complaint.

Tragedy threatened to strike again after doctors discovered that Beth is suffering from aplastic anaemia, which prevents her tiny body from producing new blood.

Trust spokeswoman Caroline Child praised the bravery shown by Mr Heaton and his wife Karen, of Testbourne Close, Totton.

"Their ordeal in having to cope with Beth's illness so soon after the loss of their daughter Katie has touched the community."

She praised Hampshire people who flooded the charity's donor hotline with calls.

"It is obvious this particular story has touched people very deeply and I know Stuart and Karen are very grateful for all the support."

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