Surgeon Leo Cheng joined a sell-out audience at a concert in Swaffham on Friday to see one of his patients make a sensational comeback after cancer surgery.
Swaffham soprano Marlene Gaunt had part of her tongue removed and replace with tissue from her left arm, during delicate microsurgery performed by Mr Cheng and his team at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, in January.
After fearing that she would not be able to speak again, Mrs Gaunt, a widowed grandmother in her 60s, recovered so well that she took part in most of Friday's concert by the Phoenix Singers and Lynn Male Voice Choir.
St Francis' Prayer
And she helped raise at least £1,325 for the Maxillofacial Unit at Addenbrooke's from the Let's Face the Music evening at Swaffham's Catholic Church, where Mr Cheng received a cheque of £800 on the night.
The Phoenix Singers are keeping the fund open until the end of June for donations.
About 175 people watched the two choirs perform a variety of popular songs, individually and together, before enjoying a buffet.
Phoenix secretary Joan Sorrell said: "Mr Cheng introduced the concert with both verve and humility, quoting the prayer of St Francis, which had given Marlene courage throughout her ordeal."
"Two of Mr Cheng's patients, who had undergone similar surgery, were in the audience, and many others related to the situation in a variety of personal ways."
"It was a truly triumphant night for Marlene who, gracious and courageous as ever, sang not just the planned second half, but almost all the concert."
Mr Cheng was accompanied by his wife, Hilary, and daughters, Katriona and Zoe, and another surgeon from his team, Mr David Adlam, and his wife. Mrs Gaunt presented personal gifts of bouquets to the wives and sweets to the children.
Mrs Sorrell thanked those who contributed the tickets, programmes and help on the night, and those who laid out the buffet provided by the Phoenix Singers.
She also thanked Father Trevor Richardson for allowing the church to be used for the rehearsal and performance; and Mrs Joyce Askew, who organised the raffle and prizes from around the town, raising £260 alone.
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