A CHOIR which has been running for 90 years is raising money for its next concert for a hospital unit which means a lot to one of the members.

Alan Walsh sings in The Wycombe Orpheus Male Voice Choir, which performs at venues across the Thames Valley and beyond.

The choir's next concert on July 6 is raising money in aid of the Cancer Care and Haematology Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital which is the unit that handles all cancer treatment from Wycombe and Amersham as well as Aylesbury.

Alan is treated at the unit as he has a cancer called multiple myeloma, cancer of the bone marrow.

It is incurable but can be managed and thanks to the care of the unit he is currently in remission.

He said: "It is very personal to me. I am 73 now, two years ago, nearly three years ago now I had an illness of gastroenteritis.

"I spent a few days in Stoke Mandeville Hospital. That wasn't cancer but it led me to have quarterly blood tests after that just to keep on top of it.

"In 2011, 18 months ago, I moved to Aylesbury because I had got married.

"I sold my house in Saunderton, my wife sold hers in Aylesbury and we moved right next to the hospital.

"Little did I know, that three months later, as a result of those quarterly blood tests, I would be going to hospital very often."

He was referred to the Cancer Care and Haematology unit and he had chemotherapy for six months.

Alan said: "I was very impressed- not just with the medical care I received- it is a Centre of Excellence. But also the way I was treated in a courteous and friendly manner.

"I thought afterwards we could get the choir to do a concert for the many people in need.

"This concert is for me to say thank you."

Alan met his wife Lesley, 58, through singing- both are members of the Aylesbury Choral Society.

The Orpheus choir has just over 70 members and rehearses at the Wesley Methodist Church in High Wycombe every Wednesday night at 7.30pm.

Alan said: "This is the choir's 90th year. Obviously over the years it has built up quite a loyal audience. We have just done the Wycombe Swan- that was a sell out."

Men can go along and audition, with singing in tune being the only requisite. The show on July 6 is at St Mary's Church in Aylesbury at 7.30pm.

There will be songs from shows such as Les Miserables and other popular songs like Bohemian Rhapsody, Bridge Over Troubled Water and Amazing Grace.

Young musicians who were winners of this year's Festival of Young Musicians in Wycombe will be guests at the concert.

Alan said: "It is to support young people and young singers to make sure they get every opportunity they can get."

Tickets are £12, where you can pay on the door. For more details about the choir go to http://www.wycombeorpheus.org.uk/

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