A CANCER sufferer who was left without hot water or heating has told how he wanted to give up on life after falling into extreme poverty.

David Stewart, 60, was living in squalid conditions for months after his ill health left him unable to look after himself or his home.

But after volunteers at the Glasgow North West Foodbank discovered his plight they stepped in to help the Knightswood man.

As the Evening Times reported earlier this year, the case was described as one of the worst in modern-day poverty.

The story provoked a huge reaction and kindhearted readers donated cash and items to assist David.

Members of the community helped carry out work worth thousands of pounds to transform his home.

David has a catalogue of health problems, which began when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer four years ago.

He suffered a heart attack two years ago and is recovering from a double hernia operation.

To add to the problems, David was paying off debt incurred by a relationship breakdown.

He ended up surviving on Pot Noodles before he sought help at the Trussell Trust foodbank, at Blawarthill Parish Church, in Scotstoun.

The former tarot reader, who worked at the Glasgow Psychic Centre before he was forced to give it up due to his health, said: "I hated being in my house.

"I was close to giving up. I was close to going down. I wanted to give up on life."

A group of volunteers led by Olivia Dalzell helped the deep clean-up and organised for workers to plaster his walls, replace carpets, and spruce up the whole flat.

Among those to lend a hand were painter and decorator Mark O'Keefe, AMOS furniture, plumber Chris Dalzell and R Anderson Electrical.

Some of the companies to help were B&Q, Dunelm, Top Drawer, Ikea, J&W Carpets, Spruce Carpets, Jems Carpets - who fitted the carpets - and an anonymous donor who gave the other flooring.

Members of the public and other groups donated items and clothes.

David, who had no support network, said: "All this has given me an incentive again.

"I was turning bitter and I thought everyone was just out for themselves until they helped me."

Olivia, 45, said: "David is a lot happier now. You can see it in his face. He was like a poor old man before.

"His health still needs to improve but this has made a big difference. Now I'd like to see David get a carer. We've helped him so much but I think he needs something permanent in place.

"He's been let down by the authorities."

Another foodbank volunteer Mags Shovelin, 56, added: "It's such a big difference to him and his home.

"We see a lot of awful cases in the foodbank and we wanted to do everything we could do to help."

Kyle McCormick, who runs the foodbank, said: "Some of the foodbank volunteers put in many hours to help sort the house, from deep clean, to plastering and painting the walls and fitting curtains.

"We are grateful for all those who have helped - from giving their time, money, materials and labour."

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk