A PLUCKY eight-year-old boy has lost his fight against leukaemia.

Jack Gales, whose five-year battle against acute myeloid leukaemia sparked a massive campaign to recruit more bone marrow donors, died peacefully at home last Wednesday.

Jack's parents Peter and Kate Gales, of Burley-in-Wharfedale, launched an appeal to find a bone marrow match three years ago but no suitable donor was found. Despite intensive chemotherapy treatment at Leeds hospitals, Jack's cancer returned in March this year. His last hope was a bone marrow transplant but doctors were unable to find a suitable match for Jack's rare tissue type.

Hundreds of people volunteered to be tested as a suitable match for Jack and other youngsters after family and friends launched the Jack Gales Appeal.

The world-wide search included the Anthony Nolan Register, where 300,000 donors are listed. At one point a match was found, but the donor withdrew at the last minute.

The Gales said they hoped people would still register as bone marrow donors with the Anthony Bone Marrow Trust in his memory. Anyone wanting further information should contact the trust on (020) 72841234.