SELFLESS Chris Friel will have just one thought as he takes off for London today - can he at last save the life of a stranger.

Chris, 26, has been called to donate bone marrow after being inspired by the story of eight-year-old Callumn Anderson in the Evening Times three years ago.

Leukemia sufferer Callumn desperately needed a transplant and his dad appealed for help as time ran out.

Sadly a match was never found and he lost his battle for survival.

But Chris was so moved by Callumn's plight, he joined the Anthony Nolan Trust bone marrow register.

He never dreamed he would be called on to help save a life as the chances of being a suitable match for someone is slight.

But the 26-year-old was contacted two weeks ago and told his tissue type was a match for a patient desperately in need.

The financial advisor said: "It was after reading that article about Callumn I decided to get in touch with the Anthony Nolan Trust.

"It's amazing to think my tissue could change somebody's life. It's incredible."

Chris, from Bellahouston, has been assigned a caseworker who will be with him every step of the way.

The Anthony Nolan Trust pay for his travel, hotel expenses, loss of earnings - and even for a friend to travel with him for moral support.

He will get a full medical and if he's deemed fit enough, he will return to London on August 7 to make the vital donation.

By law, donor and recipient are not allowed direct contact for at least two years.

But Chris will be able to write a letter to the patient receiving his donation - and will get updates about their health.

In the first letter, Chris plans to tell them about his inspiration for joining the bone marrow register.

He added: "I just want to tell them to get better and let them know I'm thinking about them. The donation is a tribute to Callumn and I'll put that in my letter.

"I'm a bit apprehensive about the procedure but then I think about how I'd feel if it was someone from my family and they needed help.

"I'd be desperate"

Alex Frazier, from The Anthony Nolan Trust, hopes Chris's story will inspire more Evening Times readers to donate.

He said: "It could be one of the most important and rewarding steps a reader ever takes."