A spinal injury robbed Gordon Sugden of the chance to perform with fellow members of Steeton Male Voice Choir.

So 35 members travelled to the Sheffield hospital where he is being treated in order to serenade him.

The award-winning singers performed for patients in the Spinal Cord Injury Centre at the Northern General Hospital.

They sang a range of songs last Thursday, including one of Mr Sugden’s favourite pieces, Comrades in Arms.

Mr Sugden, 82, from Ilkley, was involved in a car accident in London last Christmas which left him paralysed. He was transferred to the Sheffield hospital, which specialises in treating spinal cord injuries.

A hospital spokesman said: “The wonderful sound of one of the oldest and most respected male voice choirs in Yorkshire filled the dining room with music for over 40 minutes and kept the audience captivated.

“This provided a welcome distraction from daily routines, as on average patients with a spinal cord injury spend at least three months on the unit to aid recovery and to prepare them for their return home.”

Eric Parker, the choir’s recruiting officer, said: “We are all close friends in the choir and can only imagine the anguish that Gordon has experienced.

“We wanted to show our support and to bring a smile to his face during such a difficult time in his life.

“We hope our performance has helped in some small way and that the £1,000 we have also raised for the Sheffield Hospitals Charity will support other patients being cared for in the Spinal Cord Injury Centre.”

The charity uses its funds to support patients on the unit by buying specialist equipment. It is currently raising £100,000 for a robotic suit that enables wheelchair-users to stand up and walk. Anyone wishing to donate should visit sheffieldhospitalscharity.org.uk or phone 0114 2711351.