Singalong boosts lung health and helps a good cause

People with lung conditions have taken part in a festive singalong to raise money for charity and help their own health.

The Singing for Lung Health group in Reydon, near Southwold, Suffolk, uses performing to help those with respiratory illnesses strengthen their breathing muscles.

Members of the choir took part in Asthma and Lung UK's Big Christmas Singalong, which aims to support people living with chronic lung conditions.

Judi Buck, who has a progressive lung disease, said: "It has helped my condition, but it is also good for your mental health."

The charity said many people with illnesses such as COPD and asthma felt lonely and isolated.

It encouraged people to take part in the singalong to raise funds alongside creating a community space.

Ms Buck was told she could live for between two and five years after being diagnosed.

But five years since her diagnosis, she said taking part in the choir had helped her to deal with panic attacks and hospital visits.

"It teaches you how to control your breathing and you meet so many wonderful people," Ms Buck said.

The charity said singing helped strengthen the muscles used for breathing and allowed the lungs to fully empty.

Helen Barnes, leader of Singing for Lung Health, said the group offered pulmonary physiotherapy and rehabilitation "in a way that is fun and engaging".

"One of the most important things about these groups is that it is a social activity, so people come together with other people who are going through a similar lived experience," she said.

The events had been helping to make people living with the illnesses to feel "safe and supported", she added.

One in five people will be diagnosed with a lung condition at some point in their life, the charity said.

Sue Hunting had whooping cough as a baby and spent months in hospital as a child.

She has lived with asthma all her life, but said the sessions gave her "freedom".

"Everybody is singing together, and we all have lung health conditions, and we know how far we can go and just have to enjoy it," Ms Hunting said.

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