The best Christmas present for a brave mixed race 11-year-old girl this year would be a blood stem cell donor to step forward and help save her life.

Courageous schoolgirl Arya Lloyd is facing a race against time to find a stranger who can keep her alive.

For the sports-loving youngster has a life-threatening disorder.

A life-limiting adversity called aplastic anaemia, which causes the prevention of new blood cells that are required to carry oxygen around her body, as well as prevent infections and stop bleeding.

Arya needs a blood stem cell transplant to save her life, but, unfortunately, there are no matches in her family, and they are now hoping for a stranger to help boost her chances of survival.

Arya's surgeon father has made a heartfelt plea for people to sign up to become a potential donor.

Former St Ippolyts resident Geraint Lloyd is appealing for people to register as potential blood stem cell donors to save daughter Arya.

As we move into the festive season, which is anything but for Arya and her family, Mr Lloyd, who is a renowned a consultant general, colorectal and laparoscopic surgeon at Stevenage's Lister Hospital, is continuing his hunt for a match from a complete stranger to boost his daughter's chances of survival.

Speaking to Hitchin Nub News, Mr Lloyd said: "We haven't really thought about Christmas this year, but yes, it would be the best present for Arya and all of us if we could find a donor.

"She's a wonderful girl who has never allowed the situation to get her down.

"My message to people reading this would be: Please sign up to request a swab kit to register as a potential blood stem cell donor today.

"Not just for my daughter but to help save many others too."

The search to find a match from a person unknown is made all the more challenging because Arya is of mixed heritage – with her best chance of success finding a donor of Indian or mixed Indian/Caucasian origin who can help.

Yet, Geraint's brave daughter Arya has refused to let situation get her down

"She's a bright girl who is in good spirits," says loving dad Geraint, adding: "She's always loved sport and hopefully one day soon she'll be able to take part in athletics, play netball, jump on the trampoline and swim once again."

Therefore, Arya's mum, Brundha, and dad Geraint, are appealing for more people to register as potential blood stem cell donors, especially people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.

People of BAME backgrounds have a one in five chance of finding the best stem cell donor match, compared to two in three for northern European backgrounds.

By requesting a home swab kit from the charity DKMS, a match for Arya may be found.

Request a swab kit to register as a potential blood stem cell donor here