THE search is on for 20 men willing to sing at Christmas to raise vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

Mendip Male Voice Choir launched the new campaign to find 20 men after running a similar event three years ago raising more than £4,000 for the charity.

The 20 men joining the choir will rehearse during its autumn/winter season, starting rehearsals on September 21, and join in their Christmas concert series including the choir’s annual Christmas Concert; this year at St John’s Church in Midsomer Norton.

Each of the men will be asked to raise at least £50 in sponsorship for Prostate Cancer UK, for taking on and completing the challenge.

No singing experience is necessary, nor is the ability to read music, and since the choir does not audition new members there will be no auditions either.

The choir rehearses on Monday evenings between 7.30pm and 9.30pm at Midsomer Norton Methodist Centre on High Street, Midsomer Norton.

Many of those who joined for the 2023 Challenge have stayed with the choir ever since.

Among them, Nick Milton, said: “I thought I’d show willing by attending just one practice. One was enough; I was hooked!”

Another, Paul Evans, added, “Singing with the choir has proved a great pleasure. Learning the words and music can be hard work but the outcome and audience reaction make it all worthwhile.”

Colin Bennett got lots of help and support from members of the choir. He said: “I immediately felt welcomed into a big family and my family and friends were happy to encourage me with sponsorship.”

One in eight men are likely to get Prostate Cancer in the UK, mainly affecting men aged 50 and over. For black men, the risk is doubled. NHS data shows that prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK.

More than 64,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022, the last year for which NHS data is available.

Mendip Male Voice Choir chairman, Richard Luscombe, said: “We think it’s an important charity to support as it is a cancer that is increasingly prevalent in men.

“Research has shown that singing is really good for health and wellbeing, offering a range of benefits affecting singers from the heart to the brain, particularly for those singing in groups. So the challenge will benefit individuals as well as the good cause.

“Last time we set this challenge eighteen men responded. Most of them enjoyed the experience and chose to continue singing with the choir afterwards,” he added.

Prostate Cancer UK recently launched its landmark TRANSFORM study inviting men to take part in screening via an invitation to their GP. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the UK without its own screening programme.

TRANSFORM will use techniques such as blood tests, genetics, and MRI scans to determine the best way to improve early diagnosis of the disease.

Further information about the campaign and details of how to join it can be found at: https://www.mendipmen.co.uk/20mendipmenneeded