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AFTER gruelling treatment for cancer, John McCusker was prescribed anti-depressants. But then he discovered it wasn't a little pill he needed to lift his mood.

The moment he walked into the Maggie's Interim Centre, in Lanarkshire, the spectre of cancer no longer loomed so large. John, 66, said: "I wasn't too keen to come to Maggie's at first.

"After my treatment I had no energy, I was totally depressed. Going to bed, I was aware of every breath, thinking about when it would be my last. I was frightened.

"I came to the centre full of tension and it justlifted and there was a sense of calm.

"As soon as I came through the door, I felt great. There were big smiles and people meeting and greeting you. I am a different person now, a happier person."

The interim centre is based in a small flat at Wishaw General Hospital and the shortage of space sometimes means that users find themselves spilling into the hall during the increasingly popular Tai Chi classes.

It is bright and airy and has proved invaluable, but it is not large enough for the huge ambitions of the service, which strives to stop cancer sufferers losing the joy of living in the fear of dying.

But the cramped facilities will be a distant memory when Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie realises his dream of replacing the interim service with a new state-of-the-art centre for cancer sufferers.

Colin, 45, and the charity aim to raise £3million to help build the new centre in memory of his mother, Elizabeth, who died from lung cancer.

He wants it to be a beautiful building, as lovingly crafted as the other Maggie's centres, with plenty of space.

Today, the Daily Record is announcing the launch of a joint Christmas appeal to help raise funds for a centre which will transform lives, giving back hope to families whose lives have been so cruelly invaded by the devastating disease.

Lanarkshire was chosen because it has some of the worst lung cancer rates in the world and the need is critical. People there are 50 percent more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than those in the rest of the UK.

Clinical depression is a very common consequence of cancer diagnosis, but is often overlooked. Yet addressing the social and psychological impacts of cancer has been shown to improve people's control of anxiety, pain and treatment side-effects.

Studies have suggested a link between psychological well bing and improved response to treatment and survival time.

The interim service has helped more than 2000 people since it opened 18 months ago. More than 15 people a day visit for relaxation, Thi Chi, advice or to meet other people battling the disease.

The new centre will take at least 40 people a day, perhaps many more and, if John is anything to go by, will revolutionise lives.

John's daughter Kathleen said she was gobsmacked by the difference in her father and it has also helped both her and her mum Valerie enormously.

Her dad was diagnosed with lung cancer almost three years ago.

Kathleen said: "No one in our family had experienced cancer and when he was diagnosed it was just awful. My dad became so down and withdrawn. My mum was trying to stay strong, we all were, but it is hard.

"He is a totally different person now. I wish he had found it before. Prior to my dad coming here, he was just sitting about the house. His attitude has completely changed. He has become so much more positive. He was prescribed anti-depressants but that wasn't what he needed, it was this place."

Meeting others who were in the midst of their own fight with cancer helped John enormously. He opened up in a way that he had not done before.

John said: "I come here for two or three hours and thinking about being ill leaves me. It has transformed my life. I would ask people to please support building a new centre."

Lorrie Forsyth, centre head and consultant clinical psychologist, said she was inspired by Maggie's empowering, respectful and holistic approach. "It's a privilege to see how, with good quality information, support and skills, and the right environment, people can find their own best way to live with the challenges of cancer."

Lonie said: "Some people almost fall through our door, they are so distressed and they open up quickly. Others take a while."

They are given one-to-one sessions with Lorrie and don't have to wait the weeks or perhaps months it would take on the NHS to gain access to counselling.

They are taught relaxation techniques to take back control from the disease and are given information they need to clear a path forward in their heads, from questions they should ask their doctor to benefits advice.

Lorrie said: "A new centre is desperately needed. It will give us space, more staff and a wider range of services. lt will have a big impact on people's lives."

Colin lost his motberin 1991 and wants to build a memorial that will help people pick up the pieces following a cancer diagnosis.

The top golfer said: "It is all about changing lives, not just for patients, but their families. I would have loved to have had that with my mum, to have had that professional advice and care. That just wasn't there for me. Having those professionals to help you deal with what is happening is invaluable.

"It would have made a great difference not just to me but to my father."

Hotel chains Malmaison and Hotel du Vin last month completed the West Highland Way to raise £100,000.

Colin said: "It has been difficult but we are on top of the game. We will achieve our target. We are absolutely determined.

"Where this centre is situated, one in three people will end up with cancer. It is important that there is a community spirit and people pull together and get behind what we are trying to do. So please, please help."

By Annie Brown, Daily Record www.dailyrecord.co.uk