THE family of an Oxford University graduate who died on Christmas Eve last year are publishing a book he wrote as a teenager.

The parents of geography student James Trickey are planning to publish 200 copies of a book that he wrote on a cycling holiday from Cheltenham to the Scottish Islands when he was 18.

The Christ Church graduate died during the Christmas holidays after being hit by a car while cycling in Peterborough, where he was a member of the cathedral choir. He was 22.

His mother Sue Trickey, said she and his father Paul hoped the book “would mean he inspires young people and people of all ages, even though he’s gone”.

The book includes pictures taken by James on his journey around the UK, and extracts from a diary he kept throughout his month-long trip.

Mrs Trickey, who lives near Cheltenham, said: “When he came back from his trip he produced this incredible book called A Teenager, A Bike And A Camera.

“He produced four copies of it.

“It’s been a terrible time since he died, but James has left us with his book and we have decided to print 200 copies.

“We want to make it available to friends and family.”

The 51-year-old said that the book will cost £2,300 to print and to finance this the family has created a fundraising webpage.

So far the family has raised £1,808 and hope to raise the rest of the money this month.

Backers can donate £15 and receive a copy of the book once it is made available.

The mother-of-four said: “If we sell all the books we will make a small profit.

“We plan on donating that money to the parish of St Lawrence in Taynton, Gloucestershire, where James is buried.”

Mr Trickey was originally from Gloucestershire and his funeral was held in Gloucester Cathedral, where he was a chorister as a child.

Mrs Trickey, an artist, added: “We wanted to reach out to people in Oxford who may have known James and might like to join in with the book.

“It’s hard for us to contact a lot of his friends as we just don’t know them.

“A lot of people we know have been incredibly lovely and supportive in Oxford.”

In April, staff and students at Christ Church completed a charity run and raised about £2,000 in memory of Mr Trickey, which was split between the parish of St Lawrence and the Stroke Association.

* Anyone interested in contributing to the publication should visit crowdfunder.co.uk/a-teenager-a-bike-and-a-camera