The wife of a "gentle and kind" doctor is looking to raise thousands to support a specialist search dog unit in a lasting legacy to her late husband.

Ramaswamy Jayaram, known to many as Dr Jay, was found dead on July 3 in Braziers Wood, after a search and rescue operation after he was reported missing on June 30. 

Darren Debenham, the founder of Guardian K9 Training Centre, a specialist dog centre in Claydon, had been in contact with Dr Jay's wife Catherine Jayaram.

Now, Mrs Jayaram is helping acquire a decommissioned ambulance to convert into a mobile unit which Mr Debenham and the dogs could travel around to assist people across the UK.

She is aiming to raise £8,000 and is already nearing a quarter of the total within a few days of the launch.

Dr Jay was a consulant psychiartist for 20 years.Dr Jay was a consultant psychiatrist for 20 years. (Image: Catherine Jayaram)

 Mrs Jayaram believes this is the perfect way to honour Dr Jay, who spent 20 years in the NHS as a consultant psychiatrist.

She said: "He dedicated his working life to helping people. He not only helps you professionally but he also helped a lot of people on a personal level.

"And I kind of feel I want something positive to come out of something that ultimately is really tragic for our family.

"It would be a legacy if you like, and to continue in his vain, and this is like the perfect thing to get behind."

Dr Jay was a much-loved doctor and on the news of his passing many tributes flooded in.

Ciarán Kilgannon was close to the doctor and said: "You were a great doctor that changed the lives of so many people. You will be so missed by your colleagues and wonderful wife and children.

"Thank you for the times we had our chats and always checking in on people."

Mrs Jayaram said that she had approached Mr Debenham for the assistance of one of his dogs to help find her husband. 

She said: "Unfortunately, one of the things I've found is there is a lack of these specialist dogs available for the police and indeed the search and rescues."

Mrs Jayaram had approached Guardian K9 to lend their specialist dogs.Mrs Jayaram had approached Guardian K9 to lend their specialist dogs. (Image: Guardian K9 Training Centre)

Mr Debenham said: "We want to expand and travel across the whole country to help find missing people.

"However to do that we need this ambulance so that we can have our entire gear together."

He added that his intention is not to compete with the search and rescue team, but instead make sure that those who are looking for someone have all the resources available to find them. 

Since Guardian K9 is a volunteer-based community service, they are asking for people's help to fundraise. 

Mrs Jayaram said: "I would like to ask that people and the community come together to support this project because ultimately, it will benefit the community.

"And also it is in memory of a really gentle, kind, loving soul, that was my husband. I think it'll be a beautiful way to honour him."