A CARING Port Glasgow man who has beaten cancer says his battle with the disease inspired him to become a volunteer patient transport driver with Ardgowan Hospice - after relying on the lifeline service himself.

Barry Blust, from Highholm Street, was diagnosed with prostate cancer about two years ago.

He underwent 37 rounds of gruelling radiotherapy at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow and says his fight was made easier by the hospice's patient transport service.

Barry, 73, told how their 'amazing' volunteers drove him up and down to all his appointments.

He is now in remission and decided to give something back to the hospice by becoming a volunteer driver himself.

He told the Tele: "I was diagnosed with prostate cancer about two years ago

"I have a car and I can drive but the trouble with that is that it's really hard to get parked at the Beatson.

"Also after your treatment, you feel drained and really tired, so it's not a good time to be driving.

"If you're by yourself then you only have yourself.

"That's why I was so grateful to the hospice transport service as I didn't need to worry about getting there and home. You also meet other people in the community who are going through the same thing, so you feel you're part of something.

"I just knew that I had to give back to this wonderful service that we have."

Barry says it is comforting for patients to know that he has been through the treatment himself.

He said: "It's mostly just about being there for people.

"The real healing takes place heart to heart."

Barry spoke to the Tele as he joined his fellow volunteer drivers to celebrate news that the vital service has received a £20,000 cheque from the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).

Jim Gannon has been volunteering with the service for the past 23 years.

The 76-year-old, from Wemyss Bay, formerly worked in the power industry and was also in the Royal Air Force.

He said: "I have friends who have been supported by the hospice and my wife and her friends are volunteers here, so I got talked into volunteering too.

"It's nice to help people in need - it takes a lot of their problems away.

"Funnily enough someone recently stopped me in the street today to thank me for talking them up to the hospital, which was really nice."

Fellow volunteer Lynn Hunter, from Kelly Street in Greenock, works as a childminder, but also gives up two days a week to volunteer with the service.

The 46-year-old said: "My friend had end of life care at the hospice so I got to see first hand how amazing the place is. I wanted to give something back and I get a lot out of it too.

"It's really satisfying to know that you're helping someone."

Alistair Cook, from Brougham Street in Greenock, started volunteering a few months ago.

He said: "It's great and is very rewarding."

Councillor David Wilson, who represents the district on SPT and is chair of its operations committee which approved the funding, was there to present the bumper cheque to the hospice.

He said: "SPT likes to encourage voluntary transport groups like the one here at Ardgowan Hospice.

"To think there are 35 volunteer drivers is fantastic as the reality is that they are making life comfortable for patients.

"As chair of the operations committee, I'm delighted to be the one to present this money."

Linda McEnhill, who is the chief executive of Ardgowan Hospice, said the volunteer drivers are simply amazing.

She added: "I'm really proud of them."