Transplant op hold-up for Shropshire youngster Jack, 6

Six-year-old Jack Edwards is not currently well enough to undergo the transplant, despite a "10 out of 10" match being found that could save his life, his family have revealed.

Jack was originally scheduled to have the transplant on Monday, after a drive by hundreds around his home town of Cleobury Mortimer to find him a match.

But, his family have said, they hope it is simply a matter of waiting for an extra phase of chemotherapy to run its course.

Speaking on the Jack Edwards Journey facebook group, mother Chrissie Woodhouse said: "Jack has had infections on and off for the past few weeks.

"Although we have managed a couple of days at home, Jack had a bone marrow test a few weeks ago and the results show that he still has high MRD (minimal residue disease) – this needs to be gone to have a transplant.

"He is now having a extra phase of high dose chemo to try and get rid of this.

"His transplant date will now be the beginning of June, please pray this chemo will work and Jack will go on to have a happy and healthy life when this is over. He deserves the world."

Young Jack, who attends Cleobury Mortimer Primary School, was diagnosed with the disease when he was three.

He is currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy at Birmingham Children's Hospital after a recent relapse.

The news that a bone marrow donor had been found followed a day at Lacon Childe School in January where hundreds turned out to be tested to see if they would be a suitable match.

Despite the setback, Jack has had a boost after a visit at hospital from a footballing hero, Chrissie said.

She said: "He met ex-Aston Villa captain, Stiliyan Petrov, who also battled leukaemia. It gave Jack a real lift.

"Was so nice to meet him! Jack asked for his signature and he also asked for Jack's in return, so Jack signed his arm!"

More than £13,000 has been raised to help Jack's family from events including a 5k charity "Glow Run" earlier this year which saw about 300 people take part.

Money raised has gone to The Anthony Nolan Foundation, Ronald MacDonald House which provides accommodation for families with relatives having long-term hospital treatment and direct to Jack's family, who have needed to adapt their home to accommodate Jack's fragile state when he is out of hospital.