Rebekka and her three sisters were all tested for a match

Rebekka Robson, from Leadgate, County Durham, volunteered to give bone marrow to her soldier brother Lee, 25, with leukaemia.

A search for a donor was made when four courses of chemotherapy failed to cure him.

Rebekka's mother, Bernadette, has now put the youngster forward for a North East Lifesavers Award.

Army exercise

Mrs Robson, 45, who has five children, said: "Lee's four sisters all had tests and it turned out Rebekka and Shauna were perfect matches.

"Shauna was pregnant at the time, so Rebekka jumped at the chance.

"There was absolutely no doubt in her mind.

"I actually think she was quite excited that she was getting a chance to help her brother.

"I am so proud of her for what she has done, we all are."

Mr Robson, a Royal Engineer, was diagnosed with the disease after returning from an army exercise in Kenya.