A degenerative disc disorder and throat cancer will not dampen the enthusiasm of former Royal Marine Jules Walker as he gears up for next month’s Prudential RideLondon.

Walker, 48, joined the marines aged just 17 and was discharged in 2001, aged 32, with a degenerative disc disorder that has caused damage to his lumbar spine.

And several years later vowed to get fit, including having his entry into the 2014 London Marathon accepted.

He was dealt a hammer blow in late 2013 though, when he was diagnosed with throat cancer and advised he would more than likely not survive any attempted marathon effort.

With his place deferred for a year he completed the event in 2015 and is now taking on the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 to raise money for the Invictus Games Foundation.

Launched in 2013, Prudential RideLondon is the world’s greatest festival of cycling and takes place on the weekend of July 30 and 31, with Walker delighted to get the chance to take part.

“I used to cycle quite a lot when I was a kid,” said the dressage horse breeder.

“This ride now just seemed like a natural progression from doing the marathon last year.

“When the opportunity came up to get a place for Invictus then I had to go for it, the problem is that you can get addicted to these sorts of things.

“My training has stalled somewhat recently though.

“Last year I had an MRI and had what was essentially an injection of posh WD-40 into my knee, and last month I had to have more injections.

“I am still swimming three times a week though and cycling as much as I can.”

Walker is not new to overcoming adversity in order to complete physical challenges, though.

Not only did he navigate cancer to run the marathon, he suffered a knee injury with around eight miles to go, forcing him to walk the remaining miles to the finish line on The Mall.

In doing so he raised more than £6,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind and was able to name a black Labrador guide dog Rampa, after his aunt.

Now he is raising cash for the Invictus Games Foundation, which helps wounded, injured or sick servicemen and women pursue their route to recovery through the Invictus Games.

“The marathon was for Guide Dogs and this is now a personal challenge and something for Invictus too,” added Walker.

“I’m 48 but I feel 28, if that makes sense. Mentally I am ready for the ride, I have just got to see how I shape up physically.

“In the marathon my patella tendon went in my knee with eight mile to go and that last bit took me more than two hours to get through.

“I know I’m capable of doing this, I just need to get out there and do it now - the ride looks like an awesome event.”

Jules Walker will be taking part in the Prudential RideLondon Surrey 100 for the Invictus Games Foundation, one of Prudential’s three chosen charities.

The Invictus Games Foundation was established to pursue and develop the legacy of the Invictus Games, Prince Harry’s sporting event for wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women.