A teenager who gave stem cells to save the life of a stranger is backing a national campaign to find more donors.

In June, Celyn Evans, 17, became one of the youngest people in the UK to donate stem cells.

The Colchester Royal Grammar School sixth-form student is supporting Anthony Nolan’s Save a Life at 16 campaign.

The charity wants HMRC to include details about stem cell donation when it writes to teens with their National Insurance numbers ahead of their 16th birthday.

Celyn, of West Mersea, said: “You often hear that young people are self absorbed and not interested in helping others, but I think that’s wrong.

“People just need to be made aware of how they can help. That is why I am supporting this campaign.”

Celyn joined the bone marrow donor register last September when his brother’s friend developed leukaemia.

He was not able to help the family friend, but in February, Anthony Nolan contacted him to say he was a possible match for another patient in need of a potentially life-saving transplant.

Celyn agreed to donate and, after a series of check-ups, made the donation in London in June.

Like 90 per cent of donors, he gave his stem cells through a simple, outpatient process similar to giving blood.

He said: “It’s a very simple process, and I am surprised more people don’t do it.

“But I think it’s just down to people knowing about it, which is where Anthony Nolan’s idea of telling every 16-year-old comes in.”

It is hoped the Save A Life at 16 campaign will lead to an increase in young people on the donor register.

So far, more than 7,800 people have signed a petition in favour the campaign, with high-profile supporters including Stephen Fry.

Anthony Nolan chief executive Henny Braund said: “Every year in the UK around 2,000 people with blood cancer need stem cell donations from a stranger. We believe young people are passionate about helping others, but they also need to be well informed about the chances open to them.”

For more information, visit anthonynolan.org