Members of the Chamber Choir were invited by the Teenage Cancer Trust to sing at the official opening of the £3.5 Teenage Cancer Unit at the University Hospital of Wales by Sarah, the Duchess of York. The choir consists of  twenty girls from Year 7 to Year 13 performed a programme of songs to an audience of invited guests including the rock stars Roger Daltrey (lead singer of ‘The Who’) and Stereophonics lead singer Kelly Jones at the Sports and Social Club at the Heath Hospital before the arrival of the Duchess and her party.

 

The Skypad as it is known is Wales’ first Teenage Cancer Trust unit and it started admitting patients at the beginning of May. The patients are all battling various forms of cancer. But far from being treated on a conventional childrens or adults ward, the patients are now admitted to a £3.5m purpose-built unit designed with a teenager in mind. The eight-bed state-of-the-art unit also provides day case and outpatient care for cancer patients aged 14 to 23 from across South Wales. It currently takes patients from UHW’s existing paediatric oncology and adult haematology wards and from nearby Velindre Hospital. The patients have ready access to the internet, to music (including a juke box), computer games and a pool table.

 

Whitchurch High School have been long-term supporters of the Teenage cancer Trust charity and have played an active role in raising over £10,000.

 

The choir had a wonderful afternoon and had the opportunity to talk to the Duchess and have their picture taken with her. Well done to everyone involved!