Muscular dystrophy patient James Lewis has wheeled his way around the Town and Gown course eight times - but this year's event will be especially poignant.

The teenager from Farmoor is taking part in the 10km race through the streets of Oxford in memory of his friend Roy D'Cruz.

Mr D'Cruz, 25, from London, died last November from a type of muscular dystrophy called Duchenne. James also suffers from the condition.

James, mother Lynn and fellow patient James Gardner, 14, from Portsmouth, will be kitted out in red as a tribute to Mr D'Cruz's love of Arsenal football club.

James expects the team - called Roy's Runners - will be the final finishers on Sunday, May 20. But where he comes is unimportant for the 19-year-old Town and Gown Run veteran.

He said: "I'm sure we'll come last, but that doesn't matter. We'll be going round with a bucket and it's true the important thing is just taking part.

"Roy was a very good friend of mine who liked to help people and got involved with everything. He used to speak about the condition as well. It's important to try to raise awareness of muscular dystrophy and I want to do that for Roy."

Since raising £53 from his first Town and Gown race in 1999, James has collected a total of £4,500 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

He won the Daniel Cleaver Cup for being the best junior fundraiser four times and the Oxford Mail Challenge Cup for the highest adult fundraiser three times. This year, he aims to raise another £2,000.

He added: "I have been writing off to businesses and just asking everyone I know if they could sponsor me for a few pounds.

"I enjoy taking part, because it's nice to hear all the people cheering and to know that so many people are raising money for the charity."

The long-term prognosis for Duchenne patients is not good, with the majority of cases eventually resulting in death. However, James and his family remain positive, with advances in research into the condition.

Mrs Lewis, 48, added: "James has lost a lot of friends through muscular dystrophy, but the future is not something we or James dwell on. We just hope that a cure could be round the corner.

"The main thing is to get people out there on the day. Although James will be in his electric wheelchair and he's only pressing one button, it will take more effort for him than anyone else."

To sponsor James, email familylewis@tesco.net