Over the course of an estimated 40 days, he will ski solo, unassisted and unsupported for 730 miles across the coldest, windiest and highest continent on Earth. He’ll be the first Scot and the youngest Brit to make the journey under such conditions.

After overcoming major brain surgery last year at the age of 28, and also with an artificial pacemaker fitted, his ‘Due South 2015’ Expedition is raising money for Marie Curie, a charity Luke has a close relationship with. The experience of weeks in the neurology ward, sharing time with cancer patients, motivated Luke to undertake this trip for the charity. Luke is also hoping to inspire others to overcome mental and physical challenges to achieve their own goals in life.

Having already secured the backing of cyclist Mark Beaumont, renowned explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE and Wildlife Presenter, Gordon Buchanan, Luke is now looking to raise as much money as he can through his JustGiving page at•http://www.justgiving.com/duesouth2015.

Luke will aim to take 6 week to drag 100kg of equipment across the frozen continent, braving temperatures of -50 degrees Celsius. He will be burning 10,000 calories per day and facing the prospect of losing a quarter of his own body weight.

As part of his training he has already travelled to Greenland, Western Norway, Slovenia and of course, Scotland and trained in the ‘Cold Chamber’ at Glasgow University. Closer to home, his training also includes dragging tyres around Edinburgh and competing in endurance events across the UK.

To find out ways you can help support and track his route his expedition please go to his website:•www.duesouth2015.com