A BRITISH Army sergeant from Bridgwater is leading a canoeing expedition to help raise money for charity close to his heart.

Wayne Byles, 35, will be leading a team of six who will navigate two canoes along the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal in a feat of impressive strength and endurance.

Wayne was inspired to do something after a close friend was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour.

"Over the Christmas period a dear friend of mine, Jim Murray, began to feel unwell," Wayne said.

"Following two trips to A&E he received the devastating news that he had a brain tumour, and further tests revealed the heartbreaking news that it was terminal."

Wayne was 16 and had fallen on hard times when he first met Jim and his family.

"Although my relationship with Jim isn’t biological he has always been somewhat of a father figure to me," Wayne explained.

"I had chosen to leave my parents’ home due to domestic violence and a breakdown of our relationship.

"I had given up on college and was living in a garden shed a few doors down from Jim’s family home.

"After multiple conversations with Jim I started to really admire and respect him as a person.

"Our relationship started to grow as he would always take the time to talk to me whenever he could see I was troubled.

"Jim would never judge me because of my family name or social class."

Because of the growing relationship, Jim and his family accepted Wayne as one their own, housing him for the next few years.

Wayne tried a number of jobs while living with the Murrays but still couldn't settle, and it was then that Jim - a veteran himself - pointed Wayne in the direction of the armed forces.

"I finally enlisted into the British Army and have served with them for the past 14 years.

"During my career I have travelled the world, married and started my own family.

"Jim has been there to support me every step of the way.

"My family and I are extremely blessed to have crossed paths with such a special human being."

Jim Murray, now 51, is a father of three children, Richard, Callum and Simon and recently became a grandfather of two; Erin aged five months and Chester aged four months.

Jim is married to Allyson and they have recently celebrated 30 years of marriage together.

He started his professional career as a Royal Air Force policeman in 1990.

This career would span almost a decade and would seen Jim stationed in Edinburgh, Cyprus and Wiltshire.

After his time in the Royal Air Force, Jim pursued a career with the Avon and Somerset Constabulary and has been with them for the past 18 years.

During this time Jim has served in Nailsea, Weston-super-Mare and is now stationed in Bridgwater.

At present Jim is working as part of the rural beat team.

Wayne continued: "Having taken some time to process what has happened to Jim I have decided to organise the charity event, Canoeing for a Cure.

"The team and I aimed to raise enough money to fund a day’s research into brain tumours, the current cost of which is £2,740.

"Having started fundraising in April, amazingly we have already surpassed this target with £3,530 raised so far.

"I now feel with the right support we could potentially double our efforts and fund two day’s research into brain tumours."

The team includes Wayne, Jim's sons Callum and Richard Murray, James Kerr, Lee Hooper and Steve Young.

Wayne wanted to express gratitude for all the local support already received from the the likes of Wollens 'Buildbase' Cannington, NV Salon, Regency Butchers Ltd, Rowcliffes , Morrisons, Impact Signs, L & B Tattoo & Body Piercing Studio, Blake Hall, Lime Kiln Inn, Think Fish takeaway and Hoonigans Riders Club.

"To keep the challenge going we will be looking for a team to challenge our time once we've set, whether that is a carnival club, football team, rugby club or other organisation."

If you would like to donate, justgiving.com/fundraising/canoeingforacure.