A DAD-of-two has spoke of his 'complete shock' after visiting a doctor about a supposed trapped nerve - only to be told he could have only six months to live.

The family of David Goude has been left ‘devastated’ after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and given a prognosis of six months to three years.

However, the family has pledged to remain positive in the face of adversity.

Scaffolder Mr Goude, who has two daughters called Melissa and Lauren, believed the pain was a trapped nerve, unaware it was the first symptom of the terminal disease.

“I lift heavy things at work all day and had had the pain for about a year so didn’t think it was anything serious,” said the 57-year-old.

“I was in complete shock when I found out. I knew there was no cure which was devastating.

“It’s going to be the hardest thing I’ll ever go through but I keep thinking at least I’ve had some sort of a life.”

Mr Goude’s daughter Melissa said the family’s ‘lives came crashing down’ when they heard the diagnosis.

“Being told it is terminal and that there’s no cure broke all of our hearts and is just the worst feeling in the world,” she said.

“Nobody deserves this dreadful disease but he is a fighter.

“He is incredible and has been so positive and strong since diagnosis and is always making us laugh like he always does.”

Despite the bleak diagnosis, Mr Goude’s positivity has remained unwavering.

He said: “I’m just taking it day by day and not focussing on the future too much - that’s all I can do.”

Mr Goude and his wife Jan decided to downsize their house after the diagnosis, which they plan on converting into a disabled-friendly home as his condition worsens.

They approached property developers D&H Developments, who offered to complete the work for less than half the cost.

Joe Dowset, 30, who co-owns D&H Developments, said he was ‘touched’ by the family’s story.

He said: “When we heard Dave’s story, we couldn’t sit back and do nothing. We wanted to help however we could and contacted suppliers, electricians, plumbers to help renovate the house for as cheap as possible.”

Mr Dowset and three friends decided to go one step further by taking on a140 mile bike ride from Barrow Town Hall to Blackpool Tower in October to raise funds for the new house.

Mr Dowset said: “Our goal is for the family not to pay a penny for the house renovation. We’d love to raise enough for them all to go on one last holiday together as well.”

Despite the group having never cycled much before, Mr Dowset said they are ‘ready for the challenge’.

“Three months of training is nothing compared to what the family are going through,” he said.

“I’ve only just bought a bike now so we’re going to train as much as we can before October.”

“I just feel overwhelmed,” Mr Gouse said, “I held back a few tears when they told me, I couldn’t believe it. The house is a financial burden so if we were to get that paid for, it would mean so much.”

Visit www.gofundme.com/f/fighting-motor-neurone-disease