Gary Lineker is calling on potential donors from the Asian community to try to help save the life of a seriously ill police officer.

Inspector Rik Basra, a father-of-two who has served with Leicestershire police for 26 years, learned he had the disease in 2009 but thought he had beaten it after months of chemotherapy.

But recent blood tests revealed it had returned and he now needs a bone marrow transplant.

His best hope of a match is an Asian male aged between 18 and 30.

However, Asian people represent only four per cent of people on the national donor register.

Gary, whose son George was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia when he was a few weeks old, said: "Thankfully, George's life was saved by treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital and he is now a very healthy 19-year-old.

"However, through my own experience, I can sympathise with and understand the anguish Rik's family are going through.

"I would urge everyone to think about registering to become a donor."

Rik, who works for the force's safer communities and anti-social behaviour team, said: "Following treatment, I returned to work and picked up the threads of my life.

"It was a case of looking over my shoulder in case the disease returned.

"I went for routine blood tests, which culminated in receiving the bombshell that the leukaemia had returned."

The UK's donor register is run by the Anthony Nolan charity.

Doctors are searching the register for a suitable match.

In the meantime, police and Rik's family are working with Anthony Nolan to try to increase the number of donors.

Rik said he believed on of the reasons that there were fewer donors from the subcontinent was the fear of going through the donor process which he said was "shrouded in myth."

He added: "I have since learnt a great deal about the process and whereas at one time it was an onerous one, medical advances have now made it fantastically straightforward.

"I have a wife and two daughters as well as my extended family and friends.

"I value them greatly and want to be around to support them.

"This is an awful disease. It can hit anyone – healthy, old, young, it does not discriminate.

"Taking a little time out now to register will have minimal impact on your life but if you become a donor you could save a life."

Rik's wife, Kas, said: "I, like many others, had little understanding of the donation process.

"It is really straightforward and will have little impact, if any, on the donor."

Chief Constable Simon Cole said: "The more people there are on the donor register, the more people who are suffering from blood cancers stand a chance of recovery."

The campaign will be launched on Wednesday during Diwali Day celebrations in Belgrave, Leicester.

Potential donors can visit Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, Rothley Street, between 6pm and 9pm.

www.anthonynolan.org