A present from the Duchess of York was the highlight of India Farmer's fifth birthday yesterday.

The Duchess sent india, who has leukaemia, a doll and card wishing her a happy birthday from her and the Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice.

The former Lothersdale girl is preparing to enter hospital for a bone marrow transplant. Mum Joanne says she is in high spirits. "She has the energy of six children at the moment," Joanne told the Keighley News. "She is having a wonderful birthday."

India was born at Airedale Hospital in 1993 and diagnosed with leukaemia in 1996. She lives with her mother in Harrogate. Her grandparents live in Riddlesden.

The Keighley News earlier this year launched an appeal for people to come forward in the hope of finding a matching donor that will be her best chance of long-term survival. A suitable donor has now been found and India will enter Cookridge Hospital, Leeds, next Friday for extensive treatment before she is admitted to the St James' transplant unit.

The Duchess of York took an interest in the case and even gave blood in the hope it may provide the match to save her life. She has invited the family to visit her.

at her home at Sunningdale in Berkshire.

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