Hospital Radio Stafford walking on air after £500 funding

25th April 2016

Midlands developer Walton Homes has continued its pledge to grant 30 wishes across the Midlands by awarding Hospital Radio Stafford £500.

The volunteer-run broadcaster contacted the business after it announced its commitment to supporting 30 organisations, individuals and charities by granting a range of wishes.

HRS approached Walton Homes asking for support in funding a new IT network, including four computers to run its software packages and a new server to operate the system in order to allow the team to continue to provide its free, 24-hour service to patients.

The organisation, which is operated by 38 volunteers, broadcasts to Katharine House Hospice, Stafford’s County Hospital and Cannock Chase Hospital, provides a range of programmes and entertainment to suit many tastes, as well as providing a published programme schedule operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Amy Summerton, director of Walton Homes, said “Unfortunately, many of us have had to spend a period of time in hospital at some point in our lives and we all know how slowly time can pass between visiting hours.

“The work that these volunteers do makes the time that patients spend in hospital more enjoyable. The effort that goes into putting programmes together to appeal to all ages and tastes is significant, with request collectors visiting wards most days of the week to meet patients and collect requests to play their favourite music.

“HRS receives no financial support from either NHS or Local Authorities which puts such a small organisation under increasing pressure to self-fundraise, and we are delighted to be able to make our contribution towards the replacement equipment required to enable HRS to continue to entertain patients in Stafford and Cannock,” she added.

Colin Smith, secretary for Hospital Radio Stafford, said: “We are committed to providing 24-hour radio to those listeners within our broadcast area, and the new IT system is vital to sustaining our free service to hospital and hospice patients, and perhaps enabling us to move further forward into new audience opportunities.

“We are delighted that Walton Homes acknowledged the value of what our team of volunteers do, and has contributed to helping us fund it. It will help us bring enjoyment and entertainment to those people we are committed to

For further information on Walton’s 30 Wishes campaign click here