YOUNGSTERS dressed up as superheroes walked through the streets of Kidlington in memory of their teenage friend who died from cancer.

Sam Williams, of Croft Avenue, died in July, aged 17, after suffering Burkitt’s lymphoma, a cancer affecting the lymphatic system.

On Saturday, Sam’s friends from Gosford Hill School walked three miles around the village to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation (see panel), which had helped Sam.

About 50 people, including friends and family, took part and hope to raise £1,000.

Sam’s dad, Craig, 48, who works as a designer for the Williams Formula 1 team at Grove, said: “Sam was a lovely lad and we all miss him.

“He had Burkitt’s lymphoma, a very aggressive form of cancer which affects the lymph nodes.

“It was in Sam’s pelvis. Three times he was given the all-clear but it spread everywhere.

“Children from Sam’s schools wanted to do something in his memory and thought the superheroes walk would be a colourful way to remember him.”

Mr Williams lives with his wife Virginia, 47, and their two other children, Daniel, 21, and Stephanie, 15.

He added: “Sam was really into film editing and made lots of films. One of the things he wanted before he died was a new computer to help him edit and we were able to do that for him.

“The Make-A-Wish Foundation helped us to get Sam what he wanted before he died and we hope to raise about £1,000 for them with the walk.

“Sam was on Kamran’s Ward at the children’s hospital when he was diagnosed, and we would like to thank the staff there for everything they did for him.

“He had chemotherapy – all kinds of treatment – but he never complained. He was not a moaner.”

Mr Williams said Sam made a number of films and the family had lots of footage of him with his friends.

He said: “Sam was dosed up on morphine but he would still go out with his friends. Sam died the day after his 17th birthday on July 18 – we are convinced he was hanging on for his birthday.”