IT’S a story that no longer needs introduction –and a tale of courage that currently knows no bounds.

When Luke Harding, 30, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2016, his immediate response was to help those who were helping him.

Amidst ongoing treatment, the Letterston man has set about raising funds for Ward 10 in Withybush Hospital, and incredibly, is set to exceed his target amount of £20,000 by the end of 2017.

But not before he defies his condition with another epic effort for charity.

Luke is currently walking the 186-mile Pembrokeshire coastal path in different stages, and if that wasn’t enough, he has entered the Cardiff Half Marathon scheduled for Sunday, October 1.

“I went football training a month ago for the first time in ages,” he told Telegraph Sport.

“I’d had a few setbacks in the week leading up to it and couldn’t believe how much fitness, flexibility and mobility I’d lost. Physically I was at rock bottom.”

It was then that Luke decided he needed a challenge to re-focus his fitness efforts, and duly sought the help of Fishguard Leisure Centre before entering the popular 13-mile race.

“Lisa Starkey and Jamie Vaughan who work at the centre are both good friends of mine, and I asked if there was anything they could do to help.

“They came up with something for me and I did my first session just a few days after that football training. Straight away it put me in a far more positive mind-set.”

“It was more just a case of guidance rather than putting a programme together,” said Lisa.

“And Luke was brilliant in the way he got straight into it.”

Luke insists he won’t be setting himself any targets in Cardiff, other than to reach the finish line.

“If I can get above walking pace that would be good – but if I have to walk the whole way to the line then so be it. I don’t expect anyone to stay with me as I will hold them up, but just the fact that people have signed up to do it to support me is amazing.”

Luke is also using the swimming pool to aid his fitness and mobility, and has signed up for spinning classes at the centre, and he admitted the gym was something he no longer contemplated after cancelling his membership shortly after he was diagnosed.

“I never expected to be back here but the support has been incredible,” he added.

Leisure Centre manager Kelly Gittins added: “We wanted to be part of Luke’s journey and I’m over the moon we can help him.

“It’s good for people to know we are here. If Luke inspires just one more person to take up exercise with us then it helps them.”

More to come on Luke's amazing coastal path and half marathon efforts in Telegraph Sport.