HUNDREDS of staff and students are planning to give a pint of blood in memory of a “cheeky” young man “with a big smile”.

Family and friends of Liam Treacy, 18, of Fritwell, near Bicester, were left devastated when he was killed in a road accident last July.

Catering student Mr Treacy’s motorbike and a lorry collided on the A43 between Croughton and the Barley Mow roundabout. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Now his college colleagues have launched a blood donor drive in his memory to help those involved in similar accidents.

So far, 200 staff and students from the Banbury campus of Oxford & Cherwell Valley College will give a pint on Friday at its Broughton Road site.

Best friend Chris Gorman, 18, of Keats Close, Adderbury, who was studying catering and hospitality alongside Mr Treacy, said: “It’s for a good cause. No one should lose their life too early and for Liam to be taken away from us was so unfair.”

He said if one person could be saved by blood donated in Liam’s name the day would be worth it.

Mr Gorman added: “Liam loved life and lived every day to the fullest. He would not judge anyone or have any bad things to say about anyone.

“He was always up for doing stuff. We used to go camping in Newquay and to festivals. Liam was our kind of ‘go guy’, and our organiser.”

The teenager – who met Mr Treacy at Banbury’s Blessed George Napier Catholic School and Sports College – said: “He was cheeky and funny and had a big smile.”

College hospitality and catering lecturer Pete Harvey, who came up with the idea, said: “Liam was a bright student who was full of character.

“He was a real presence and is sadly missed by the staff and students who studied alongside him. We wanted to find a means of honouring his memory and creating a lasting legacy that would benefit others.

“The idea of encouraging people to give blood to help those who might be involved in road traffic accidents seemed fitting.

“Around 8,000 units of blood are needed every day to meet demand, so we want to help do our bit to meet that.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support from people.”