ART work by a former rally driver and after dinner speaker, who had his vocal cords removed in a battle against cancer, has gone on public display in his home town.
Malcolm Graham, 72 years old, took up painting shortly after undergoing a laryngectomy in November last year which removed cancerous cells from his body but also cost him his voice.
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The dad-of-two and grandad-of-three has taught himself how to paint and his handy work is on display at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre until December with proceeds going to the East Lancashire Laryngectomy Society.
After overcoming cancer last year Malcolm is set to go under the surgeon’s knife once again on Thursday, October 22, to have a new shoulder joint put in.
The procedure has raised fears that his painting career could be put in jeopardy but his wife Jean has said that it should only affect him in the short term.
Jean, who lives with her husband in Aspen Lane, said: “The operation is a major one and it’s not quite as simple as a knee replacement.
“He will have to have his arm in a sling for four weeks and then have some physiotherapy.
“However the operation, if all goes to plan, will not have any long-term impact on his painting and will improve his quality of life as he is in pain right now.”
The former chairman of Springhill Motor Club has lived in Oswaldtwistle all his life and used to run a bakers with his wife before retiring four years ago.
In his spare time he would drive rally cars alongside long-time co-driver Charlie Woodward, a stalwart of Pendle Motor Club.
Now painting has filled a void left by driving and after dinner speaking and Malcolm hopes to return to his easel as soon as possible.
Jean added: “Painting has become very important to him and he has been doing it more and more.
“It all started when a friend bought him a paint by numbers and he copied the picture himself.
“He paints all sorts of things and likes to paint pictures that appear in travel brochures.
“The display at the civic theatre has already raised more than £300 for charity and we hope that the figure will rise before too long.”
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