A 12-year-old from Malvern is battling a rare blood condition with the selfless help of her family.

Leyla Vine, from Cradley, became ill in May and was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia - a serious condition that occurs when the body stops producing enough red blood cells.

She has since undergone dozens of blood transfusions and attends hospital weekly for platelet transfusions.

But the only permanent fix is a bone marrow transplant - and luckily for Leyla, her younger brother Jake is a match.

“Jake doesn't realise just how much of a hero he is and it's important he's recognised for the huge part he's playing in this horrific journey,” said friend Claire Bird, who has started a fundraiser for the family.

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Funds are needed because Leyla is about to start treatment at St Mary’s Hospital in London and in order to look after her, mum Stacey Thomas has had to stop working.

“Stacey is a self-employed hairdresser but she’s had to give that up - but just getting to hospital appointments is so expensive,” said Claire.

“They went to London the other day and that cost £80 with transport and the congestion charge.

'She’s already spent a lot of time in hospital'

“But Leyla is in fine spirits. She’s already spent a lot of time in hospital but she doesn’t let anything get to her and for a 12-year-old girl to be told she’s probably going to lose her hair, she’s been incredible.”

Claire said Leyla has a tough journey ahead. She faces 12 weeks in isolation following her transplant and will have to undergo chemotherapy - but hopes are high.

“Her younger brother is a match so this is a real family effort to fight this,” said Claire.

“Hopefully, as long as he has enough bone marrow for her, she’ll be fixed by this operation. But it doesn’t just end there - she’ll still have a year’s worth of treatment to go through.”

A fundraising page has been started on GoFundMe, and more than £1,200 has already been raised in little over a week.

You can donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-family-battling-aplastic-anemia

Claire said she hopes to take some of the financial stress away from the family - and maybe even have enough to treat them to a short break once Leyla is given the all-clear.