THE family of a four-year-old boy in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant has thanked hundreds of people who registered as donors last week.

Now Riley Mulvany and his family must wait and see if any of the 220 people who signed up to the bone marrow register at a clinic held in their home town are a match for the youngster.

Riley suffers from a rare genetic condition called chronic granulomatous disorder, which affects his body's ability to fight infection.

The condition means Riley will face a life in and out of hospital unless he is cured with a successful bone marrow transplant.

He has already spent 12 weeks in hospital and endured several operations.

He must now rely on the register as none of his relatives were a match.

The Anthony Nolan Trust organised the clinic at Whinfield Primary School, in Darlington, where Riley's sister Leona is a pupil.

The clinic was held to find a match for any of the 7,000 people in the UK who need a transplant.

Yesterday, Riley's father, Paul, said the youngster, who doctors allowed home from hospital last month, was doing really well and was now back at nursery.

"He is absolutely spot on. He is really enjoying nursery. He is back with his friends."

Mr Mulvany said he and Riley's mother, Aimee Watson, wanted to thank everyone who had registered. "We just want to say a big thank you to all the donors, to the Anthony Nolan Trust and to the school for holding it."

The family will now have to wait six to eight weeks to find out if anyone from the clinic is a match for Riley. Nigel Gorvett, who organised the clinic, said he was pleased with the turnout.

"It is more than I expected for that clinic," he said. "We'd like to thank everyone who registered and all the medical professionals who volunteered their services."

The next clinic will be at Durham University's Dunelm House, in New Elvet, on Thursday, from 10am to 5pm. For information, call 0207-284-1234 or visit www.anthonynolan.org.uk