THERE are those for whom the cup is always half-full, and those for whom it is always half-empty.

But if you were dealt the devastating news that you had a matter of weeks, if days, to live any drop of optimism and positive attitude would quickly evaporate for most of us.

I was therefore deeply humbled by cancer victim Keith Turner, 51, the Bournemouth father-of-three who was enjoying life to the full when he received the unexpected diagnosis that he is terminally ill.

His particular cancer was so aggressive he was told he had only days before his energy would slip away, leaving him too weak to leave hospital.

With his wife Sue he made up a "wish list" of what he wanted to do after sorting out his financial affairs for his family - eat a bacon sandwich with fellow traders and pals on Christchurch market; eat scrambled egg and beans at a favourite café; and throw a big party for all his friends.

I sat with Keith in the garden at the MacMillan Unit in Christchurch hospital where he is living his final days and suggested that his list was an interesting one.

He was very matter-of-fact about it. "Well, that's what I wanted to do," he said. But it brought tears to my eyes.

His friends had arranged a trip out on a Sunseeker and for him to drive through the market in a Ferrari but when the chips were down Keith couldn't have made it more clear - it is the simple things in life that count.

Love, friendship, family, friends and your health. These are all things money can't buy.

Too often these days we are guilty of chasing ever greater thrills in our lives - ever more exotic holidays, ever-more outlandish food, flashier cars, trendier clothes. Far too often we moan about what's wrong with our lives and far too seldom stop to think just how lucky we are... until we meet inspirational people like Keith.

When Keith's story appeared in the Echo last week the national press were keen to follow it up and speak to him too.

I phoned him to tell him the tabloids and That's Life magazine wanted me to put him in touch with them.

His reaction was completely positive as he told me he would agree to do it on condition that they gave him some money to help buy the hospital some new televisions.

"It's only morally right, don't you think?" he said.

"Get them to phone me direct," he said and I had to smile as he got a real boost from wheeling and dealing, landing a couple of thousand pounds to benefit future cancer patients.

In fact, Keith's story appears to have touched people around the world. Apart from being picked up by the Daily Mirror, The Sun, The Metro, That's Life and the Scottish press he has been featured in The Mumbai News this week!

Keith's extraordinary attitude and fortitude has no doubt been a source of strength to his family and many friends.

Some 250 had packed into Lorenzo's in Charminster to say goodbye to him and they continue to visit him in hospital sharing memories and laughs.

They have been inspired to bring something positive out of all of this with many fundraising activities.

Keith's elder brother Kevin is doing a parachute jump. Friend Nigel Knight and other pals are doing a 50-mile cycle ride and many are running marathons and half-marathons.

Money will be split between buying 20 TVs for the MacMillan Unit and the Tenovus charity.

Keith's wife Sue told me: "He has been so courageous in how he's handled this and me and the boys are all so proud of him. We just take it day by day. He doesn't seem to moan and he's got an awful lot of dignity."

We can all learn a lot from selfless people like Keith.