A BRIERLEY Hill teenager who issued a desperate plea for a bone marrow transplant has lost his brave battle for life.

Omar Al-Shaikh passed away yesterday (Monday June 22) after being told just three months ago that his leukaemia had returned and he would have little chance of survival without a vital donor being found.

The Anthony Nolan charity issued a nationwide plea to find a donor for the teenager, who moved to England from Jordan two years ago, as his mixed heritage meant it was harder to find a suitable match.

Hundreds of people signed up to register after hearing about his race against time but the courageous youngster’s fight for life tragically ended just days after he posted a poignant last Facebook post telling family and friends he had just a few days left to live and thanking all those who supported and helped him.

It is not known whether the teenager, from Madison Avenue, underwent a transplant after the charity’s search but its chief executive Henny Braund said: “Everyone at Anthony Nolan was deeply saddened to hear of the heart-breaking death of Omar.

“Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and we are thinking of them at this extremely difficult time.

“Omar was an extremely brave and humble young man who inspired huge numbers of potential donors to join the Anthony Nolan register.

“Consequently, he leaves behind a truly lifesaving legacy which will continue to have a positive impact on the lives of others for many decades to come.”

Omar, who was a student at Four Dwellings Academy in Quinton, received the all-clear last October after an initial fight against leukaemia but he was told earlier this year that the deadly disease had returned and his only hope was a bone marrow transplant.

A Facebook page called Finding the Match for Omar was set up to encourage people to sign up as potential donors and a spokesman for Anthony Nolan said as a result of publicity 368 people from Birmingham and the Black Country registered between March 30 and April 13 - and 48.5 per cent were from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Omar's mum Mirabela Al-Shaikh, originally from Romania, said her son's story had touched people's hearts in the UK and abroad.

A friend of the tragic teen, Matthew Williams, described Omar as a "fantastic boy" and said: "He will be missed so much by his friends and family. He wanted to become an engineer when he grew up, but now he will not get that chance."

Matthew is now trying to raise awareness and funds for the Anthony Nolan charity in memory of Omar whose funeral was due to be held today (Tuesday).

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so online at https://www.justgiving.com/Find-A-Match-For-Omar/or to find out more about the charity or register to become a bone marrow donor click here.