The family and friends of a teenager who drowned in the River Cherwell in Oxford are joining a fundraising bike ride next month in his memory.

The Anthony Nolan Trust Big Bike Ride was one of the last things 15-year-old Hassan Hussain, a Cherwell School pupil, did before he drowned in University Parks in June 2006.

The event, at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, now has a special place in the hearts of his family and friends, who took part last year - and will do so again on June 22.

Last year, about £1,250 was raised by Hassan's family, including his brother Zeeshan and sister Marina, and friends who took part.

Hassan's father, Bashir, said: "Last year, we got a good group together and this year we are hoping to have at least 10 people take part.

"This bike ride was one of the last major things Hassan did, so we are honoured to be doing it in his memory and we would like to raise as much as we can."

Mr Hussain added: "We would like to raise a similar amount again this year. It is a terrific event."

Last year, more than 600 people took part in what is one of the biggest events in the trust's fundraising calendar.

Participants can choose to take part in one of three routes - a 15-mile, 35-mile and 65-mile ride - around west Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds, which all start and finish at Blenheim Palace.

Anthony Nolan Trust spokesman Stuart Lees said: "This is one of the biggest events in our fundraising calendar and all are welcome to come along and join the ride and help make this year's Oxford Big Bike Ride bigger and better than ever."

He added: "All the money raised will help to fund our work, which takes back lives from leukaemia by managing and recruiting new donors to the UK's most successful bone marrow register.

"Currently there are more than 7,000 children and adults whose only hope of survival is a bone marrow transplant."

Each year the ride raises more than £50,000.

A Hassan Hussain Mem- orial Foundation was also set up at his school shortly after his death, and has seen pupils involved in a number of fundraising activities.

For more information on taking part in the Nolan Trust ride, call Mr Lees on 0121 5547678 or email stuart.lees@anthonynolan.org.uk