A FORMER student from Galashiels saved a child's life by skiving a lecture.

Anthony Lenton and his classmates avoided an afternoon tutorial at Borders College to register with the Anthony Nolan Trust.

And within a few months his genetic profile proved to be an identical match for a gravelly-ill toddler 150 miles away in Aberdeenshire.

Anthony, who is now the co-manager of William Hill bookmaker's in Galashiels, told us: "We all had a dull lecture to look forward to after lunch at the College when we saw a girl from the Anthony Nolan Trust looking for people to register.

"I had no knowledge of what the Anthony Noland Trust did but we decided to take our time filling in the forms so we didn't have to go to the lecture.

"Basically, sciving a lecture was the best decision I ever made."

At just 11 months old, Finn Mackin was diagnosed with a rare and dangerous form of leukaemia after a suspicious lump was found on one of his eyes.

Tumours developed and it was considered that chemotherapy was the Stonehaven toddler's only hope.

But several unsuccessful doses of treatment failed to cure him from cancer during a four-month stay at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.

And consultants decided the only remaining option of saving Finn's life was a high-risk stem cell transplant.

During countrywide searches for donors, it was found that Anthony in Galashiels was the perfect match.

The youngster underwent a successful transplant at the end of 2015, followed by more than 50 blood transfusions, before eventually being declared cancer-free.

Finn remains cancer-free and last week he was introduced to the skiving student who saved his life.

Anthony added: "It was really emotional meeting Finn.

"There is not allowed to be any contact for two years but then Anthony Nolan passed on my number and Finn's mum made contact.

"It turned out I was a perfect match for Finn - a 12 out of 12, which could only be bettered if he had a twin.

"I have no idea how we are so genetically matched as I'm originally from Cambridgeshire and Finn's family are all from around Aberdeen."

Stephen has now been invited to Finn's parents wedding next year.

Finn's mum Siobhan said: "Without Anthony, Finn wouldn't be here - as simple as that.

"We’ll be forever thankful."

The Anthony Nolan Trust manages and recruits donors to a nationwide register to help match donors with cancer sufferers.

The charity also carries out research to help make bone marrow transplants more effective.

Amy Bartlett from Anthony Nolan said: "You could literally save somebody's life, as we've seen happen with young Finn.

"I mean this story could have been so different, but for the generosity of a complete stranger."