FOR five years a group of singers have been breathing life into the battle against cancer.

Bolton Cancer Voices has brought together men and women who have been treated or are still being treated for illness.

Unlike other support groups, however, the choir has a unique way of providing comfort – through song.

Not only has singing boosted confidence, but has also helped members' physical and mental health.

Chairman Karen Elliot, from Bradshaw, established the group in June, 2012 – inspired by the BBC series The Choir – with the aim of bringing something different to brighten the lives of cancer survivors and those still fighting it.

She said: "At the time there were only a few support groups and there certainly wasn't anything for cancer survivors. I just felt you could offer support in a very different, fun and inspirational way.

"At the end of the day we are a community choir like any other community choir, we just have a different membership criteria.

"I didn't doubt for one minute it would take off and it's been all I hoped it would be. It has got to five years very quickly but here we are!

"Singing is a powerful thing and anyone can harness that power and us it.

"There was a survey which found that choir members do feel the benefit with 80 per cent feeling they benefited mentally and emotionally, while 60 per cent said it physically improved their breathing, they had better energy levels, a more positive outlook and increased sense of wellbeing. That makes absolute sense of what singing is about.

"To me it is the same as how magic works – when someone comes in feeling down or whatever and goes out feeling a little bit better. You don't care how it happens, it's just good that it does."

The group is run like any other professional choir, led by a conductor, and is limited to cancer survivors and those who are still undergoing treatment.

Members celebrated its fifth birthday on Saturday with a special fundraising concert at the Victoria Hall with the support of the Affetside Choir and Salford Symphony Orchestra.

Anyone who is part of the choir builds a strong bond with their fellow singers, which boosts their mental health by providing mutual emotional support and understanding from people who know what the person next to them has gone through.

However, due to the devastating effects of cancer – more than one in three people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime and around 450 people die from the disease every day – it also has a sad side.

Karen added: "You cannot set up a choir of this nature without hard times.

"Wonderful people have come along and been part of our story and us in their cancer journey, in illness and beyond.

"Everyone's journey is different but knowing someone has faced what you have gone through is a comfort.

"We do so much possible in the choir to try and remember people we lose along the way. We treasure the times we had together and memories made together, and as part of a wonderful choir that is done in a really positive way.

"You hope to inspire people who watch or hear us, see our journey and know that if we can do it, they can do it."

Among those celebrating the birthday were Margaret Jackson from Smithills, who joined the choir after meeting Karen at an event for cancer survivors.

The 65-year-old is currently undergoing her second round of cancer treatment after her ovarian cancer returned but has found comfort in the choir.

She explained: "I was told the cancer treatment was over it and it was such a relief, then you get told it might have come back, it is such a blow.

"The choir gives you a very positive outlook, it gives you something to go for.

"I'm not a musical person, I can't read music, I just record myself and listen to it to learn. Being part of this choir is lovely, it's really special. There's a very professional feel, as though you are not just a good team but really going for something.

"One of the things I had to do in physio was breathing exercise into the diaphragm. Now I do it all the time singing. Then there is also the positive mind-set you have.

"It provides something different in your life. I'm retired now and need these things.

"There's camaraderie, a lot of support from people in the choir. What's lovely is they all understand the problems you have.

"It's not like talking to other people who sometimes don't know how to react.

"In the choir you are quite free to talk about your worries and panic and everything."

The choir meets at the Friends Meeting House in Silver Street, Bolton. Anyone interested in joining is asked to contact Karen on 01204 595562 or 07773 164235, or visit www.boltoncancervoices.org.uk.