THE family of Belbroughton boy Finley Hill have said a match has been found for him.

The seven-year-old schoolboy, who attends Hagley Primary School, has been diagnosed with rare immune system disorder familial HLH (familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis).

The condition causes damaged and enlarged organs, and without stem cell treatment he will die.

His mother Jo Hill said it was "brilliant" news but also "quite strange and petrifying" at the same time.

"We’re pleased to finally have a match and a plan but both petrified about the whole process," she admitted.

"However, we have to believe that this is going to be the beginning of getting Finn better and securing him a bright and happy future."

They said a nationwide panel of experts have decided on a 9/10 match for Finn, a Brazilian 43 year-old-man.

Jo said: "They searched the world twice and we had five matches in Brazil, all 9/10.

"They really wanted a 10/10 but have decided it’s better to go with a nine while he is doing well than risk waiting for a 10 that may never come."

At the end of October Finn will have his line put in, and part of his testicle removed, so there is a chance he can have children later in life.

On November 11 Finn will be admitted for chemotherapy before going to transplant on November 18.

He will then be placed in isolation for around a month afterwards.

It is hoped he will be home in time for Christmas day.

Mum Jo added: "Thank you to everyone who has supported us this far in every way possible, it’s really only just the beginning..."

Finley's family, including dad Paul, have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the condition as well as hold events to get people to register to be donors by doing a simple mouth swab.

Hundreds of people have turned up for stem cell drives around the county but the parents are appealing for even more to register.

Only two per cent of people in the UK are on the stem cell register and the fact that Finley has a rare tissue type makes finding a donor even harder.

For more details, visit the UK Stem Cell Register via dkms.org.uk or anthonynolan.org

Swabs are taken from inside the cheek to see if someone is a match – and if they are, cells are donated just like giving blood, although in a small number of cases a small operation is required.