Inspirational choir tunes in for TV debut
Friday 19th March 2010
MEMBERS of a unique Welsh choir will be tuning in to the small screen this week, (Monday March 22) as their incredible story is aired as a BBC documentary.
Tenovus’ Sing for Life choir is made up of cancer patients, their families and friends and was established in the South Wales valleys, which according to statistics released by National Public Health Service for Wales is a cancer ‘hotspot’.
Primarily a research project to gauge the benefits of singing, the choir have also become the stars of a documentary charting their journey from conception in January this year to performing for Tenovus’ Patron, Princess Anne, as well as Tenovus’ annual St David’s Day Dinner at the Hilton hotel, Cardiff.
Dr Ian Lewis, Head of Research for Tenovus said;
“The diagnosis and subsequent treatment of cancer can not only have a devastating effect on the person diagnosed but also on their families and friends.
Tenovus’ motivation for the choir was to give those who have been effected by cancer the opportunity to come together in a fun, positive and energetic way and focus on something other than their cancer experience.
Sing for Life is a research project gauging the benefits of singing on health and wellbeing. We know from some of our patients that cancer has a huge impact not only on their physical health, but also on their entire wellbeing, with fatigue often leading to depression, anxiety, isolation and loss of confidence.”
Tenovus Sing for Life project is run in partnership with Sing and Inspire, a training and motivation company managed by Andrea Beardshaw and Georgina Jones.
Georgina Jones, co-founder and Managing Director of Sing and Inspire, has formed successful choirs in workplaces across Wales to improve confidence and motivation among employees. She said:
“The health benefits of singing are widely recognised, with numerous studies showing singing can help people’s physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing. We’ve already seen how choirs can help in the workplace, and we wanted to use these benefits to help people who are suffering with cancer.”
Andrea Beardshaw, also co-founder and Managing Director of Sing and Inspire added:
“This has been a fantastically uplifting and positive experience for everyone involved. It’s been incredible to see how some choir members, who started off at such a low point, have blossomed, grown stronger and performed in front of a paying audience. They are an inspirational group of people and a real testament to the power of singing.”
By uniting in song we hope to improve people’s health as well as give support to those effected by cancer.
Notes to editors
The BBC documentary will broadcast on Monday 22nd March 2010 BBC One Wales only
Sing for Life will be performing at Tenovus’ Spring Concert in Llandaff Cathedral on the April 10th. Tickets for Tenovus’ Spring Concert are available now by calling 02920 768850 or emailing Nadine.egal@tenovus.org.uk and are priced at just £12 each or £20 for VIP tickets.
