WHEN Arlingham Pocock was first diagnosed with blood cancer in 2016 he was in his own words ‘shellshocked’.

The Abergavenny man recalled, “I remember the consultant talking to me but after he dropped the ‘C’ bombshell but I couldn’t really understand a word he said. My mind was racing with fear and anxiety. Everything felt so unreal.”

The 72-year-old left the consultant’s office with what felt like a death sentence hanging over his head and a few helplines to call.

One of those helplines happened to be for Macmillan Cancer Support.

After ringing the number and talking to the Macmillan nurses, Mr Pocock said he had a completely different perspective on his condition.

“Chatting to the nurses really put me at ease. They were a great help. Because of their positivity and understanding I felt if I couldn’t beat cancer, I could perhaps live with it and live well.”

Nearly two years later, Mr Pocock is just coming to the end of his second course of treatment and although the cancer is not beaten, advances in medicine are holding it at bay.

And to celebrate his own survival and to give something back to the charity which has been the rock he has clung to in time of need, he decided to shave off all his hair last Sunday.

The venue for the great cut was the Llangenny’s Dragon Head’s Inn. It was a double celebration for Mr Pocock on the day because as well as raising £500 for Macmillan, it was also his birthday.

Mr Pocock told the Chronicle, “It’s always nice to celebrate another year on the planet and raise money for a great organization which has helped that happen.

“I’m planning on sticking around for a lot longer yet and next year plan to do a sponsored canoe or even caving expedition. Although to be honest I could fly to the moon and back and it still wouldn’t be enough to express the gratitude I feel towards charities such as Macmillan.”