A CHOIR of cancer patients led by a Gwent man is to release a self-funded Christmas single in aid of charity.

Cancer Chorus, made up of cancer patients from across Gwent and beyond, will record the single at a Caerphilly studio later this month ahead of its December release.

The choir mostly consists of members from the former Big C Choir who took part in a Channel 4 documentary Sing for Your Life, and performed with Leona Lewis at a Stand Up to Cancer concert at the Royal Albert Hall last October.

The choir practises in Cardiff once a week and includes members from as far away as Exeter, and members are paying for the production of the single themselves.

They will donate the money raised from the sales of I Forgot That It Was Christmas to Velindre, The Red Sock campaign for prostate cancer awareness, Tenovus and Cancer Research UK.

Chairman Paul Silcox, from Abergavenny, hopes the single, which he says is a cross between a “Slade and a Wizard song”, will raise money for great causes in a positive way.

Mr Silcox, 60, said: “I think because we all came together for the Channel 4 documentary last year, we realised the benefits of one another and the support it gives us.

“When you get together once a week it’s a very personal thing and you get to know people very well.

“We have recently lost three members of the choir, which was hard to take because you get so close to people. Some of the members are still undergoing chemotherapy and are taking part not long after having operations. The commitment is huge.”

Mr Silcox, a former design engineer, had a kidney transplant 36 years ago, and has lymphoma. He has competed at the Transplant Olympics and was ranked second in the world in the 400 metres and third in the world at 100 metres. Mr Silcox added: “That was a busy time for me but I know I am very lucky to be alive.

“We have all got our individual crosses to bear, but you have to carry on with life as best as you can.”

Cancer Chorus will record the single at Shabbey Road Studios in Caerphilly on November 22 and will aim to release both a download and a hard copy version of the single by the first week of December.

To donate towards Cancer Chorus, contact Mr Silcox on 01874 731171 or 07813 608140.