Allison Hartley is a nine out of 10 match for her son

Allison Hartley's four sons Joshua, 12, Nathan, 10, Daniel, eight, and Luke, four, are among 100 people diagnosed with the degenerative condition XLP.

In March she was found to be a bone marrow match with eldest son Joshua for the transplant that could cure him.

The Romsey, Hampshire, family are still looking for more donors for their sons.

'Strong family'

Joshua will begin chemotherapy on 31 March ahead of the 9 June operation, according to the Anthony Nolan Trust, which has run the campaign for donors.

Allison has been told she is a nine out of 10 match for Daniel, which adds a little uncertainty to the procedure.

Alex Frasier, spokeswoman for the trust, said the family was very hopeful that the operation would be a success.

"They are a very strong family and if any family is going to get through this, they are."

She said more than 16,000 people had responded to David Hartley's appeal, which has seen him address football crowds around the region.

A match has also been found for Daniel, but donors are still needed for the other two boys.