A FORMER soldier who served in some of the world's worst troubled hotspots has won his biggest battle yet to survive cancer - with the help of a lifeline Inverclyde service.

Billy McPike, who lives in Greenock, told the Tele how he was left fighting for his life when when he was diagnosed last year with blood cancer which had spread to his spine.

The 66-year-old, who stays alone with his three dogs, faced six gruelling rounds of chemotherapy in a bid to stay alive.

But the ex-military man says the loneliness and isolation he faced was the hardest obstacle to overcome, after he was forced to give up his job as a carer.

He says that going along to a health hub run by social care project Your Voice, as part of their £370,000 Macmillan Cancer Support service, made all the difference.

Greenock Telegraph: Former soldier Billy McPike with his friends at the MacMillan Cancer health hub run by Your Voice

Billy, who stays in Stafford Crescent, said: "I was recently given the good news that I am all-clear of cancer.

"I was diagnosed with blood cancer which had spread to my spine last September.

I had phoned my GP with symptoms and went to the hospital for tests. It came as a real shock. I had to have six rounds of chemotherapy which was tough going.

"But the hardest part if I am honest is how lonely and isolated I felt on my own.

"I had to give up my job as a carer with Enable and that was so hard, probably the worst of all.

"It came with its own financial worries as well."

But through the local library service Billy found out about Your Voice's health hub, which runs in Port Glasgow. It is part of Macmillan's 'Improving The Cancer Journey' initiative, which launched locally a year ago.

The hub meets every week, with people who have had cancer, and their loved ones, coming together to share their experiences.

Billy added: "It has been amazing. I have made so many friends. I don't feel so alone when I have had people to share it all with, who know what I am going through and understand."

In his 40-year army career, first with the Royal Artillery and then with the Territorial Army, Billy served across the globe. He did tours of Northern Ireland and Germany and was involved during the Cold War. He was called back up in 2003 to serve in Iraq and was stationed in Kuwait.

But when he was diagnosed with cancer he faced his darkest days, not knowing if it was a challenge he could overcome.

He was told earlier this month he was told he was cancer-free and will have check-ups every three months.

Billy said: "I can't describe how it felt, to come into the group and tell them. They kept me going as well as my three dogs. I have a Yorkshire Terrier, a Labrador cross and a collie cross.

"I kept worrying about what was going to happen to them. But they kept me going because I had to get up every day and look after them."

Billy is a presenter on the charity Clyde Coast Radio station, as DJ Combat, and has his own weekly show.

He says the Your Voice/Macmillan programme gave him vital support and information during his cancer battle.

The service is led by wellbeing practitioners Sean Macfarlane and Amanda McEwan.

Sean said: "The Macmillan service has been really successful. We have managed to reach so many people like Billy.

"It has grown itself really, it was something that people wanted."

Anyone wishing to find out more about the service should contact Your Voice on 01475 728628 or visit its Facebook page.