THE family of a former Somerset police officer say they have been ‘inundated’ with tributes and messages of support after he died from a brain tumour on Boxing Day.

Jim Murray from Bridgwater passed away peacefully at home with his wife Ally by his side.

The father of three served with Avon and Somerset Constabulary for 20 years and leaves behind, Ally, who was his childhood sweetheart who he met at Chilton Trinity School and his sons, Richard, Callum and Simon.

He also leaves behind his grandchildren Olivia, four, Erin, three, Chester, two and one-year-old Joel, as well as Wayne Byles, 38, who was all but a son since Jim and Ally took him in as a teenager.

Jim was diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumour just after Christmas 2017 and was told that his survival prognosis was 12 to 18 months.

Ally, who is missing persons coordinator with Avon and Somerset Constabulary, said: “Jim and I had a wonderful life together, even during the years after Jim was diagnosed. We would have been celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary on January 23. He was larger than life and absolutely loved life, but the last couple of months of his illness were so cruel.

“Nobody warns you that brain cancer can become so brutal. Since his birthday on November 4, Jim became very confused and his personality really changed. It was a very challenging time, especially the last couple of weeks, but thankfully by then Jim wasn’t aware.

“We have been inundated with tributes and messages of support from far and wide, and not just from Jim’s friends and colleagues in the police, who have really wrapped their arms around us from the day Jim was diagnosed.

"These are such a comfort to me and the family. I am sure people often underestimate what their words of condolence mean, but knowing Jim was so loved is really lifting me and the boys.

"Especially as, like so many other people bereaved during the pandemic, we can’t rely on comforting hugs and getting together with close friends.

“It’s so sad we can’t give Jim a proper send off and are limited to just 30 people for his funeral, which will take place on January 15. But we will have a big memorial party in the summer because Jim wanted to buy everyone a beer. It will be one heck of a party!”

To pay tribute to Jim, Wayne, who is a staff sergeant in the British Army, launched a fundraising group under the umbrella of the charity Brain Tumour Research, known as Canoeing for a Cure.

Over the last three years, Jim was the inspiration behind every fundraising challenge with Wayne, Richard, Callum and Simon working together.

Their combined efforts have led to an incredible £30,000 being raised to date towards helping to find a cure for the devastating disease which killed Jim.

Wayne said: “It was such a shock to me and all of Jim’s family when we discovered that so little could be done for him after his diagnosis and that nothing much has changed in terms of treatment for brain tumours for decades.

“Losing Jim is devastating. He has always been a father-figure to me ever since he helped me turn my life around and inspired me to join the Forces. I owe him so much and can’t believe he has gone.”

Just 12 per cent of brain tumour patients survive more than five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers, yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

Melanie Tiley, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Thanks to Wayne’s efforts along with all of Jim’s lovely family and friends, they have sponsored the equivalent of 11 days of research at one of our Centres of Excellence.

"We were delighted to welcome Jim and his family in 2019 to our centre within Queen Mary University of London to talk to scientists and learn about the working going on to find a cure and to put up tiles on the Wall of Hope there in recognition of their incredible fundraising.

“We are so sad for Jim’s family as they grieve his huge loss and are humbled that they wish to continue to work with us to raise funds and awareness. Together we will find a cure.”

To donate to Brain Tumour Research go https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Murray-864