IT has been a rollercoaster week for a Lochgelly family seeking a stem cell donor for their three year-old daughter.

Little Ava Stark has a rare blood disorder and desperately needs a stem cell transplant to allow her immune system fight off infection.

The family thought they had a donor but just last week they had to pull out through a health problem.

Ava's mum Marie took the set-back in her stride and put out a fresh appeal through social media, radio and the newspapers for more people to take tests to see if they are compatible.

Amazingly well over 40,000 people have come forward from all over the UK to take the test and she is hopeful that the perfect match will again emerge.

Said Marie, of Sunnyside Place: "It has been a real rollercoaster time, for we thought that our prayers had been answered when the perfect matching donor was found but they developed a health problem and had to withdraw.

"I renewed my appeal I made in the summer and amazingly 37,000 people registered within three days.

"Now the Anthony Nolan Trust will be sending out the test kits to these people and will be going through the samples over the next few weeks.

"Hopefully by mid November we will know whether we have the perfect match for Ava."

Twice it seemed the match had been found and twice problems have seen the opportunity failed to happen.

Little Ava is a very bubbly youngster and is looking forward to the amazing response Marie's appeal has had coming up trumps.

Added Marie: "It is a difficult time for us but I believe that out there the perfect match will become known through the thousands of tests that are being carried out. We are very grateful to everyone who is taking part."

Currently Ava has a platelet transplant each week and a blood transfusion every three weeks. Hopefully, Marie's appeal will provide the lasting answer.