THE new year brings new hope for a little girl with leukaemia as a life-saving bone marrow donor is found.

Six-year-old Ellie Davidson, who is battling the disease for the second time, is set to undergo a transplant in Bristol.

Hundreds of people pledged their support and signed up to the Anthony Nolan donor register after reading about Ellie’s battle in the Journal at the end of November.

And the news that a suitable donor had been found was announced by her parents, Richard Davidson and Hannah Mortimer, just before Christmas.

A message on the Ellie vs. Leukaemia Facebook page, which has attracted more than 2,300 followers, said: “Richard and Hannah are pleased to announce that Christmas has come early for their little princess Ellie. The perfect gift is on its way early in the new year – Bristol here we come!”

Ellie, who lives in Collingbourne Ducis with her mother and three-year-old brother Oscar, was first diagnosed with leukaemia in May 2010 and after years of chemotherapy she was given the all clear.

But in September Ellie went for a routine check up and doctors discovered the cancer had returned.

Since then she has been undergoing gruelling chemotherapy at Salisbury District Hospital and Southampton General Hospital.

Her mother said she has remained brave despite the side effects, including hair loss and fatigue. “She’s amazing,” said Miss Mortimer. “She’s so, so brave. She just gets on with it, really.”

Now that a match has been found, Ellie will be able to undergo a bone marrow transplant in Bristol, where she will stay for two to three months in isolation while she recovers. Earlier this week, her parents met up with the transplant team at the hospital.

• To sign up to the donor register and potentially save a life, visit anthonynolan.org or deletebloodcancer.org.uk.