London, Feb 8 : Barbadian singer Rihanna is said to be seeking financial aid from beverage giant Pepsi to help in the fight against leukaemia.

Rihanna, 21, who has vowed to help leukaemia sufferers, submitted a request for funds to Pepsi, who have launched the Refresh Project, which hands out 12.5 million pounds annually to good causes.

The move comes after a six-year-old girl she attempted to save from the disease passed away last month.ittle Jasmina Anema had captured the 'Umbrella' singer's heart in 2008 after the youngster's desperate family appealed online for bone marrow donors.

The singer supported the public appeal, and kept in close contact with Jasmina, but was left "heartbroken" when she passed away in hospital.

Rihanna, who wants part of the fund to go towards DKMS, which helps to try and find bone marrow donors for the victims of leukaemia, revealed after her performance at the Refresh Project's launch party, how Jasmina had spurred her on to help others suffering from the disease.

"She was a very free, fun spirited little girl, full of energy, always happy, always energetic. I always remember she wouldn't sit still. She was always running around, always had a smile on her face," the Daily Star quoted her as saying.

"If we win (the funding), this would really help us recruit 4,000 individual donors," she added.