CHOIR members who have had their voice boxes removed following throat cancer have had a documentary made about their lives.

Members of the choir, Shout at Cancer, featured in the documentary "Can you hear my voice?" including Ian Bradshaw from Newbury and Andrew Pett from Reading.

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The choir, created by Dr Thomas Moors, is the world's only charity specialised in speech training with music after a laryngectomy, the surgical removal of the voice box, following throat cancer.

The choir is supported by the Peter Edwards Trio and often joined by opera singer, La Verne Williams.

Reading Chronicle:

After hearing about their work, the award-winning American film maker, Bill Brummel — who has also had his voice box removed — decided to create a documentary about the transition from life with a voice box to one without.

The film was sponsored by Atos Medical and the premiere was held at the Odeon BFI IMAX in London last weekend (February 2).

Choir members and their family and friends were given the red carpet treatment and were joined by doctors, speech and language therapists and Mr Brummel himself.

Mr Bradshaw said the film was "unbelievable" and a "tear jerker" adding he was "amazed" by how many people went to see it.

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He said: “I saw the trailer and I was a bit apprehensive about the film but when I saw the film it absolutely blew me away.

"I think it blew everyone away.

"It was fantastic.”

Mr Bradshaw, who had his operation in 2010 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH), said "the worst thing is being told you have cancer" and "you’re then told that you have got to have your voice box removed".

Reading Chronicle:

Following the operation, Mr Bradshaw explained you're given a note pad and pen to communicate with people and you can't use the telephone which he revealed had a mental and physical impact on him and his family.

He said: "I never in a million years thought I would end up being in a choir.”

Since joining Shout at Cancer, Mr Bradshaw has grown in confidence and said his voice's volume and clarity have improved.

Mr Pett added that people can be quite self-conscious and introverted following the operation but the choir shows "there’s still fun to be had with your voice having lost it".

Reading Chronicle:

Both Mr Bradshaw and Mr Pett visit the RBH for their post operation care and speech and language therapy.

Mr Bradshaw added he is "very proud" of the RBH team.

They also give lectures at the RBH and the University of Reading.

The film is due to tour various film festivals.