AN inaugural Purbeck walk to raise funds in memory of a very special little boy, has benefited a children’s cancer charity by £900.

Friends and family of Poole lad Samuel Oldridge, who died aged eight in April 2009, turned out in force to walk a 10-mile loop from Studland.

En route they stopped at “Sam’s Dune”, a place where the youngster, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour at the age of three, losing his sight soon after, loved to play.

It holds special memories for his parents Jacquie and John and older brother Nick, 14, who runs around chased by Keira, the chocolate Labrador.

Around 50 people gathered at the start of the walk and 28 completed the trek, earning lunch at the Bankes Arms and raising money for the Samuel Oldridge Appeal, which supports charities for children with cancer.

“What a wonderful day,” said John, “We were extremely fortunate to have glorious weather for the walk.”

The children, including Nick and his friends, “did fantastically well on the walk and together with the numerous dogs all covered well in excess of the 10-mile route due to all the running around on the beach, dunes and Ballard Down”.

He thanked Jim Williams, formerly deputy head of Baden Powell and St Peter’s Middle School where Samuel spent some months from September 2008, whose initiative it was, those who took part and those who supported the event.

“We have collectively raised in the region of £900 through the Samuel Oldridge Appeal for the very worthy nominated charity Clic Sargent,” said John.

“This charity is one of many that supported Samuel and our family whilst being treated at Southampton General Hospital and we intend to continue to support this charity for 2012.”

Since his untimely death, thousands of pounds have been raised in memory of the indomitable little boy who loved sports, underwent 35 major operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and was so knowledgeable on his condition, optic glioma, that he was a case study for national neurosurgeon exams.

“The walk was so enjoyable and successful that we plan to make the Samuel Oldridge Appeal – Studland 10-mile Sponsored Walk an annual event,” added John.