Dozens of stroke survivors were brought together by the power of opera at a special club concert.

The free show at Katherine Road Community Centre was organised by Newham Stroke Club as a way of breaking down barriers between people who have experienced strokes and the wider community.

Connaught Opera performed the songs – including popular musical numbers, light operetta, Beatles tunes and even a version of Chariots of Fire with lyrics written especially for the occasion.

“Our participants love the concerts,” Abdul Shakoor, the organiser of Newham Stroke Club, said of Tuesday night’s show. “One of the main functions of our club is to get stroke survivors with different backgrounds, differents levels of managing in later life, different needs to engage in this shared event.

“And this was certainly one of the best we have ever had.”

Mr Shakoor also hopes word of the event will spread and attract more stroke survivors to the club.

“We are like the United Nations – we are so diverse,” he said. “We celebrate all events – Christmas, Hannukah, Ramadan. And it’s a great excuse to have some nice food.” For more, visit newhamstrokeclub.org.uk