A charity trekker, who was diagnosed with incurable skin cancer in 2019, has visited Mid Wales during his mammoth walk around the Welsh coast.

Luke Thomas, 36, started on his 876-mile walk around the Welsh coastal path from Chester on 1 July.

Luke, who lives in London but is originally from Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire, has so far managed to raised over £37,000 of his £50,000 fundraising target for Melanoma Focus.

Last week, Luke visited Mid Wales, staying the night in Machynlleth and in various towns throughout Ceredigion.

“The coast of Wales is unbelievably beautiful, some of the best scenery I have ever seen which helps me through the challenge with breath taking views on a daily basis,” Luke said.

“The kindness from people has blown me away, not just from the donations but also from people offering me food and accommodation. I have met some amazing people during this walk who have shown me so much kindness.”

Luke decided to raise money for Melanoma Focus after being diagnosed with incurable skin cancer melanoma in 2019.

“Currently on treatment daily, I decided to walk the whole coast of Wales (876 miles) to raise awareness and money for a charity called melanoma focus,” Luke continued.

“Skin cancer is on the increase so it’s important people realise the serious of melanoma as it can be fatal but also preventable.

“To date I have raised over £36,000 which is incredible. I started in Chester and I’m roughly half way through the challenge, and although it can be tough it is also very fun.”

Luke was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2014 when he noticed an unusual mole on his back. This was localised melanoma and so it was “surgically removed”.

Five years later, Luke was “living a fulfilling life” when he found another localised melanoma mole on his arm.

However, Luke said “something wasn’t right” after he started feeling weak, nauseous, and his arm pit began to swell. A hospital biopsy revealed Luke had stage four metastatic melanoma.

After this, Luke’s health deteriorated. But now, due to his targeted daily treatment daily, Luke has a “good quality of life again” and hopes he has “many years ahead of him”.

In Machynlleth, Luke said he was “touched by the kindness of the locals offering to help”.

“I could sense a really strong community spirit which is very important in these peculiar times. Many messaged me in aid of support when I messaged the local forum for help with accommodation or a place to set up the tent.

“Accommodation is scarce at the moment being summer holidays and staycations due to Covid-19.”

Luke has continued to make his way around the Ceredigion coast, visiting the likes of Aberystwyth and Borth, and said he has enjoyed the “beautiful coastal stretch”: “The coastal path has been challenging with the steep hill inclines but the scenery has made it worth it.”