There has been great sadness in the local community following the death of Friends of the Cancer Centre charity stalwart Jim Gamble BEM.

Jim passed away on Wednesday, October 19, following a battle with cancer. He was well-known in the Fermanagh community for his voluntary work fundraising for Friends of the Cancer Centre. He also worked locally as a window-cleaner for many years.

Raising money for cancer patients for more than 40 years, Jim first began fundraising independently in 1979 and had been involved with Friends of the Cancer Centre, formerly Friends of Montgomery House, for 37 years.

Jim was originally involved in a fundraising committee in Enniskillen for the charity, Friends of Montgomery House, to help raise money to buy Northern Ireland’s first specialist MRI scanner which cost around £250,000. Then the charity centralised to become Friends of the Cancer Centre attached to Belfast City Hospital.

Paying tribute to Jim, Colleen Shaw, Chief Executive of Friends of the Cancer Centre, said: “Everyone at Friends of the Cancer Centre is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our dear friend, Jim Gamble.

“Jim was an integral part of the charity for many years, as a founding member of the Fermanagh Fundraising Group, and as a valued Trustee on the charity’s board.

“He was a dedicated volunteer, who gave so much time to supporting families impacted by cancer in County Fermanagh and across Northern Ireland.

“He will be greatly missed, and on behalf of the charity, we would like to extend our condolences to his wife, Doreen, family and friends.”

In 2017, Jim, along with fellow Friends of the Cancer Centre stalwart Avril Graham, was awarded a BEM in The Queen’s New Year Honours for his voluntary service to the charity.

At the time of the award, the then Prime Minister, David Cameron, said: “Jim and Avril have worked tirelessly for three decades to support their local cancer centre at Belfast City Hospital.

“From street collections and auctions to bag-packing events in supermarkets and music nights, you have helped to raise over half a million pounds.”

In July of this year, Friends of the Cancer Centre hosted a coffee morning in memory of Jim’s son, Neville, who passed away from cancer in November, 2019.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter at the coffee morning, Jim acknowledged that the day in memory of his son “was tough but great to see”.

Helped

Humble about his fundraising efforts which helped to change lives across Northern Ireland, Jim said: “I often thought I hadn’t done enough, but I did do as much as I could.”

Jim was pleased with the turnout at the coffee morning. He told this newspaper at the time: “I am grateful for everyone’s support and everyone who has supported the charity and all of the functions over the years.”

Husband of Doreen, father of Brian and the late Neville, Jim will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the wider community.