On September 15, 2003, Gareth Scotcher was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease - a cruel illness that changed his life forever.

Ever the optimist, Gareth considers himself lucky.

"I have fantastic kids, great family and great friends," he says. When his father asked him: "Don't you think, why does it have to be me?" Gareth's outlook is simple: "It has to be someone."

On Friday, July 12, almost 10 years after being diagnosed with this debilitating disease, Gareth and his friend Nicky Rees will undertake a truly astonishing task - The Long Course Weekend.

Over three separate days, Gareth's mind, body and soul will be put to the test. Starting with a 2.4-mile swim on Friday, a 112-mile bike ride on Saturday and finally a full marathon on Sunday.

He's doing this not just for personal gain, but to hopefully raise some money for charity and most importantly to show everyone that no matter your disability or personal problems, with a little help from your friends and loved ones you can achieve anything you put your mind to.

Gareth, 43, and Nicky, 45, have been friends since playing football and rugby together during their younger days.

Nicky, a lecturer in plumbing at Pembrokeshire College and a retained fireman in Tenby, already has an impressive triathlon CV, including all four of the Long Course Weekends, six Ironmen and one Norseman - the extreme Ironman challenge.

But he admits, next week's Long Course Weekend will be a stern test of even his endurance and strength.

Inspired by reading about a father in the USA who takes his disabled son on marathons, Nicky says: "I put the idea to Gareth about six months ago and he was very motivated and up for it. It has taken time to get everything in place, but we are determined to give it a go. If I was in Gareth's position, I would hope somebody like me would do it for me."

Gareth will take to the sea off North Beach for the Wales Swim in a kayak towed by Nicky, while in a recumbent tandem the pair will compete in the Wales Sportive and for the Wales Marathon, Gareth will be pushed in a sports buggy.

All their specialist equipment has been loaned free of charge by the manufacturers - the buggy by Delichon; the race bike by Quest88 and Gareth's training exercise bike by Medimotion.

Dubbed the 'Iron Beaver' because of his childhood nickname Gareth and another longtime friend Matthew Evans, of Long Course Weekend organisers Activity Wales, have also put together a heartwarming video and sponsorship page at http://www.activitywalesevents.com">www.activitywalesevents.com

Gareth and Nicky are indeed men of steel. It's therefore no wonder that these two superheroes have a fast-growing 'We're Backing the Beaver' fan club which will see the whole of South Pembrokeshire cheering on next weekend.