MEMBERS of a Basingstoke choir will perform at Heathrow this Saturday to raise awareness and funds for a chronic pain campaign.

The group from Basingstoke Rock Choir will join 800 other members from across the country to sing at terminal five from 11am to 4pm, in support of UP (Understand Pain).

UP co-founder and Rock Choir leader Georgie Standage set up the campaign after overcoming a severe and rare life-long pain condition.

The 36-year-old, from Guildford, spent two years in a wheelchair after developing a rare neurological pain disease a decade ago called complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

She said: "Rock Choir has been a massive help for me. I feel so exhilarated when I conduct. I run four rehearsals a week and in those moments I hardly notice pain."

Georgie added: "Gathering at Heathrow with Rock Choir is a perfect way to bring this important issue to the public. Music can bring about a natural high. It releases endorphins known to hide pain and helps people deal with the psychological impact of pain."

UP is designed to bring the public's attention to the vast problem of persistent pain.

Studies show that around half the population has a degree of chronic pain, and about a quarter of these - about eight million people - have pain severe enough to interfere with normal function.

Money raised at Heathrow on Saturday will fund research into the mystery of chronic pain conditions and will pay for seminars called Pain Coach to help people overcome pain and associated problems.

It will also fund support for sufferers, particularly those affected by CRPS.

For more information visit understandpain.com.