A TEENAGER has spoken of the tireless effort to preserve the memory of a friend who drowned in the River Thames.

Fifteen-year-old Hussain Mohammed, who would have turned 16 this month, died after jumping from Donnington Bridge on May 25.

After visiting the spot where he died, his friends vowed to make sure he was never forgotten.

Just a few weeks ago, the wall under Donnington Bridge was muddy and graffiti-ridden.

It is now painted brightly with Hussain’s name in English and Arabic.

Cheney School pupil Anhar Ali, 17, who led the project, said: “The idea came while we were standing under the bridge thinking of things we could do in remembrance.

“Then I saw the wall and it wasn’t something pleasant to look at, so we set about making it better.”

Friends have decorated it with pictures of a bike and energy drink, before leaving messages of remembrance.

Mr Ali, who has just finished his A-Levels, approached Oxford City Council himself to get permission and collected £267 from local schools and friends.

He said: “We just wanted to do something.

“I knew Hussain from when we were at primary school together. I saw him an hour before he died.”

He added: “He always wanted to meet new people, he was always happy and smiling.”

With the money collected, a team of Hussain’s friends set to work painting the wall underneath the bridge.

The project took them five days, starting with cleaning the wall and the area in front of it. Mr Ali said they paid for the equipment with all the coins they had collecting, making sure “no single pennies went to waste”.

He said: “During the evening, the family came with goody bags for everyone who helped and knew Hussain.

“They added the final touches to the wall for his birthday along with candles, cards and everyone prayed for him.”

Everyone was given a small picture of Hussain with a candle and thanked for their efforts.

Mr Ali said: “Everyone helped and would come along with things without asking for money when we asked them.

“People came even in the rain and the cold, willing to get their hands dirty.

“We worked from 9am until 9pm most days and prayed together at the grass near the bridge.”

Friends now hope to paint another wall under the bridge.