THE heartbroken best friend of an 11-year-old boy who died in a road crash will take part in a fundraising event in his memory.

Callum Smart, 11, from Abbey Meads, will race in the Doing It For Dan virtual run in honour of his childhood friend, Daniel Climance.

Daniel died in June following a collision with a roadsweeper while bike riding with his father and older brother in Purton.

Warneford School student Callum will be supported by brother Finley, sister Charlotte, father Marcus and event organiser and mother Claire.

The run will be held during National Road Safety Week in November with all proceeds donated to road safety charity, Brake.

Mother-of-three Claire said Callum is devastated that his best friend of seven years is no longer with him.

“I was in complete shock when I heard about Dan and it made me want to raise awareness about safety on the roads and get speed limits lowered,” she said. "I hope this event can do that and get the message out there.

“Callum and me talk all the time about Dan. He misses him so much and especially over the summer holidays he was heartbroken that Dan is no longer with him."

In just 24 hours, a wave of supporters donated more than £700 to the cause, with the total now sitting at £1,700.

Runners from countries all over the world including Brazil, America, Switzerland and New Zealand have pledged to race in the Bridlewood Primary School pupil’s memory.

Claire said she was overwhelmed at the response her event had received.

“It’s been unbelievable. It’s just amazing,” she said.

“Dan’s story has touched a lot of people, because he was the loveliest boy and it’s a complete tragedy that this happened," Claire said.

“He was a real character and a ball of energy, he was sporty and popular and Dan and Callum were real partners in crime.

“Dan was loved by everyone and I know his classmates all really miss him.”

A virtual run can be held from any location with participants’ encouraged to walk, use the treadmill, or run in another race to raise money for charity.

Doing It For Dan runners have the opportunity to do a 5K or 10K route with all ages and abilities able to sign up.

To donate or for information on how to sign up for the virtual run visit justgiving.com/Claire-Smart10.

Brake promotes road safety awareness, safe and sustainable road use and effective road safety policies. They aim to completely stop road injuries and deaths.

Joe Fenton, community fundraiser at the charity, said: “As a small charity that relies on fundraising, Brake is extremely grateful to Claire and everyone involved in the event for going to such lengths to support Brake’s work.

“Their enthusiasm to raise both money and awareness for Brake as part of our Road Safety Week is inspiring and we really can’t thank them enough.

“The theme for Road Safety Week 2015 is ‘drive less live more’. The virtual run is a great way of supporting this year’s theme, which is all about making our streets safe and pleasant for everyone to use freely, and doing what we can to protect ourselves, people around us and the environment.”

National Road Safety Week runs from November 23-29.