MORE than 500 people turned out to a stem cell drive in Hagley today (Saturday) to see if they may be able to help save a Belbroughton schoolboy's life.

Hagley Primary School pupil Finley Hill is battling a rare immune system disorder known as familial HLH (familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis) - and he desperately needs a stem cell transplant to give him a hope of survival.

His school in Park Road agreed to host a stem cell drive, together with charity DKMS, this weekend - and on the first day a total of 544 people have offered themselves up as potential donors.

Finley's family, who run Brookfield Nurseries at Bell Heath, are documenting his story on the Finn the Fabulous Facebook page and after an overwhelming first day they posted: "You guys are amazing! 544 swabs is outstanding in one day!

"The volunteers from DKMS have said that this just doesn’t happen very often at all, that a turn out like this in one day is unbelievable. From all at Team Hill we love you and thank you so much."

The event will run again tomorrow (Sunday) from 9am to 4pm.

Anyone aged 17 to 55 can turn up and register their interest in becoming a potential stem cell donor.

Anyone able to offer any last minute donations for a raffle can contact the family via the Facebook page.