LOCHGELLY'S Ava Stark, is this week a finalist at this year’s Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards.

After being told she needed a life-saving stem-cell transplant, Ava became the face of an international donor appeal and this year she has been nominated for the John Petchy Young Hero of the Year award.

In 2016, after months of multiple trips back and forward to the doctors, four-year-old Ava was diagnosed with inherited bone marrow failure. She was treated at Edinburgh's Sick Kids hospital where she received various blood transfusions and rounds of treatment. The doctors then came to the conclusion that a stem-cell transplant was her best chance for survival.

Nolan got to work to find a stem cell donor, Ava’s mum, Marie, decided to share Ava’s story and turn to the public for help.

Marie said; “I was at work and my colleague said ‘why don’t you put it in the paper?’ At first, I thought I can’t do that as my family is quite private but then I thought ‘you know what I don’t care’. I didn’t think it would be too big, just one story in the local paper but soon enough it had gone international.”

Ava’s story was seen by people all over the world. The public were encouraged to join the Anthony Nolan register to give their family hope that somewhere out there was Ava’s life-saving match. After a long, complicated search on November 25 last year Ava received her transplant.

Marie added: “It was amazing, we couldn’t stop crying on the day. We expected this whole procedure but we were surprised when the bag of stem cells were wheeled in – the entire process took just half an hour! Ava slept all the way through it until she woke up and asked; ‘has my hero been?’

"Now, whenever we are out shopping or in the town she points at people and says to me ‘he could be my hero’.”

On Tuesday as the Times was being printed, Ava travelled down to the House of Commons as a finalist for in the John Petchey Hero of the Year category. The Award, in memory of John Petchey, is sponsored by the Jack Petchey Foundation and is inspired by Anthony Nolan’s work with young people

The John Petchey category is open to the public, who have nominated young heroes from across the UK. Ava’s story touched so many people, inspiring 20,000 people to join the Anthony Nolan register. One person who took a shine to Ava was journalist, Sarah Vesty, who wrote more than 15 stories in the Daily Record.

Sarah wrote a heartfelt nomination for Ava to be considered for this special award. She wrote: “Ava and her mum bravely shared all the details of Ava's diagnosis and treatments with myself and several thousands of others on social media in a bit to raise awareness of Anthony Nolan and the incredible work they do. Ava's cheeky smile literally touched the hearts of thousands and her appeal was shared all over the world.”

Not only did Ava’s story help her to get a second chance of life, it also inspired people to donate and go on to help more patients like Ava. Since sharing Ava’s story, Marie has been told two donors who signed up because of their appeal have gone on to donate, with many more signed up waiting to become a match.