Lyn Neville, co-ordinator of the local charity, Pembrokeshire Cancer Support, had quite a surprise at his recent 50th birthday celebration.

Lyn had a form of blood cancer and needed a bone marrow transplant to save his life in 2005.

An anonymous donor was found through the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Register by Kings College Hospital in London and the transplant was done in December 2005.

After a few hiccups and problems, Lyn made a good enough recovery to return to part-time work with Pembrokeshire Cancer Support in 2008, as he wanted to work for a cancer charity to try to give something back to help other sufferers.

Lyn approached the Anthony Nolan Trust to ask if he could contact his donor to say thank you. This was agreed and letters and e-mails were exchanged.

Lyn, though, had a big surprise when his donor, Simon, a commando chef in the Armed Forces and recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan, turned up in person to wish him happy birthday.

The surprise visit was arranged by Lyn's wife Ann, and Simon stayed for the weekend.

Lyn said: "It is difficult to know where to start when you meet the person that saved your life. Thank you does not really cover it! If it had not been for Simon's kindness in donating, we would not have our two-year-old daughter, Elyn, and I am so happy that all my family was here to meet him."

Simon, who joined the bone marrow register in 1999, has now been a donor on two separate occasions.

Simon has also gone on to raise a lot of funds for Anthony Nolan through running marathons and Ironman events.

Simon said: "There is nothing difficult about donating, as Anthony Nolan arranges everything. I do not really think of it as saving a life, but it's nice to be able to help someone who needs it."

If you would like more information on joining the bone marrow register, you can find The Anthony Nolan Trust at http://www.anthonynolan.org">www.anthonynolan.org, or contact your local Welsh Blood Service at http://www.welsh-blood.org.uk">www.welsh-blood.org.uk