A community choir is to release its debut single in aid of a charity that supports seriously ill people and their families from Ipswich and east Suffolk.

‘Always’ by Pop Chorus will go live on Friday, November 17, with proceeds going to St Elizabeth Hospice.

Songwriter David Simon used words in the song written by patients about what the hospice means to them.

The single was recorded at Diss Corn Hall under the direction of Suffolk-based musician-producers Ian Curnow and Phil Harding, who have worked with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Take That, Rick Astley and Talk Talk, among many others.

Pop Chorus was founded by professional singer and vocal coach Yula Andrews in 2012 and has since grown to almost 250 members across five choirs around Ipswich and Felixstowe.

Ms Andrews said: “We’re thrilled to be recording such a beautiful song with such experienced producers.

“It was very inspiring to hear from the patients what the hospice means to them, so we’re humbled to use our singing to help raise awareness and money for this vital local charity.”

Adrian Rawlinson, head of communications at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “We cannot thank Yula and Pop Chorus enough.

“The quality of this song is beyond our wildest expectations. It is beautifully sung, professionally recorded, and produced, and the fact that the words have come from people who have experienced our care makes it even more special. It deserves to be very successful.”

‘Always’ will be available to download or stream from iTunes, Amazon and Spotify, with profits going to the charity.

Pop Chorus will join Ipswich mayor, Sarah Barber, at the Christmas lights switch-on in Ipswich at 6.45pm on Thursday, November 16, followed by a launch party.

The choir is “community partners” with St Elizabeth Hospice and it presented the charity with a cheque for more than £5,000 following its sell-out concert at Ipswich Corn Exchange in July.

The hospice cares for more than 2,000 people with progressive and terminal illnesses every year.

The services are provided free of charge but the charity last year incurred running costs of £10.5 million, with only £2m of that covered by the NHS.