BIG hearted bikers have named their annual charity toy run after young cancer victim Jake Spicer.

Fifteen-year-old Jake, from Blackbird Leys, lost a six-year battle with cancer last July.

The teenager, known as the ‘OX4 soldier’ to his friends, did not let his rare form of bone cancer get in the way of his passion for motorbikes.

He was made an honorary member of the Oxford chapter of the Harley Davidson Owners Group.

Every Easter for the past 10 years the group has been delivering toys to the children’s facility at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.

Now, inspired by Jake’s tireless charity work, they have named the ride in his memory.

Organiser Russell Owen said he hoped more than 200 bikers would turn out for the Jake Spicer Memorial Run in honour of their good friend ‘Little Harley’. He said: “He loved his bikes, Jake did.

“And everybody in the chapter loved Jake, for his bravery, and for proving the doctors wrong time and time again.

“Even when he was ill he was always trying to get stuck in and have a go on the bikes.”

On Sunday, April 18, the group will ride in convoy from the Harley-Davidson dealership in Wootton Road, Abingdon, to Oxford Children’s Hospital in Headington.

Last year, Thames Valley Police refused to provide an escort for the toy run but had a change of heart after Jake pleaded with Chief Constable Sara Thornton to reconsider.

He told her it was likely to be the last time he would be involved.

Jake’s mother Lesley said the family were touched by the bikers’ gesture.

She said: “We think this is an excellent idea and just what Jake was about.

“He wanted everyone to donate what they could to give to the sick children.

“Jake would be happy to know his friends were carrying on doing what he wanted them to do, and looking after the kids who need it.”

Mr Owen said donations of good quality toys, crayons and colouring books, were now needed for the toy run.

He said: “We plan to do this every year.

“Jake was such an inspiration to so many people in our chapter, some who are suffering from a similar illness, that we thought it right we ride in his name from now on.

“This is something we want to do as a lasting legacy to our friend Jake.”

To donate to the Jake Spicer Memorial Run email Mr Owen at shadeson@hotmail.co.uk