Tenovus, Wales' leading charity, is celebrating after winning a prestigious national award for the services it provides to cancer patients throughout Wales.

The charity beat other entrants including Macmillan and Cancer Research UK to scoop the prize for Best Charitable Initiative at the Excellence in Oncology Awards ceremony at the National Cancer Research Institute Conference in Liverpool.

This category aims to reward a not-for-profit organisation which has undertaken a compassionate activity to improve the well-being or quality of life of patients with cancer, or made a significant contribution to the fight against cancer.

Judges commended the charity's Sing For Life Choir, which was initially established as a research project to measure the health and psychological benefits of singing for cancer patients and their families.

One of the judges wrote:

"Innovative. Inspirational. This entry really struck me; it's a great community initiative that really gets the friends and families involved. This could work well in other communities."

Since its inception in the south Wales valleys town of Pontypridd, an area with a disproportionately high incidence of cancer, the Sing For Life Choir has developed into a strong support network for its 70 members who meet on a weekly basis to learn new fun songs and rehearse for regular performances.

Choir company Sing and Inspire was appointed to take the rehearsals and provide the musical arrangements.

Following £1million funding from the Big Lottery, there are now plans to establish 15 choirs across Wales for those affected by cancer.

Collecting the award, Tenovus' Associate Director of Research Dr Ian Lewis said:

"We are delighted to win this award for Tenovus. But it's also a way of saying thank you to each and every member of this amazing choir.

"Their strength, courage and determination continues to be an inspiration to all of us.

"Sing for Life is proven to help people experiencing cancer and has been shown to alleviate depression and improve the overall wellbeing of its members.

"An independent study carried out by researchers at the School of Healthcare Studies at Cardiff University showed remarkable improvements in members' vitality, social function and mental health as well as a reduction in bodily pain.

"There were also indications that the choir alleviated anxiety and depression in members who reported these symptoms before the choir started."

The Excellence in Oncology Awards recognise and reward best practice in oncology management, education and patient care throughout the UK.

The awards are judged by a multidisciplinary panel of eminent national professionals working in oncology healthcare and representatives from cancer patient groups.

Source: Tenovus