A fundraiser has been set up to get a local radio station back on air after it was forced to close nearly two years ago.
The patient favourite, Sheffield Hospital Radio, has been off air since 2021, after its radio room in Royal Hallamshire Hospital was closed due to health and safety concerns.
The charity organisation is asking for donations to get back on the airwaves in a new location on Beech Road so they can provide their services to hospital patients across Sheffield.
Steve Flowers is the programme coordinator for the radio station and believes it’s important for patients that the radio keeps broadcasting.
“It’s not very pleasant being in hospital at the best of times. Some people don’t have regular visitors,” said Mr Flowers. “It gives them a bit of a focus. Hopefully it entertains them and it gives them some commonality with the people around them.”
Before the pandemic, the radio presenters would visit patients in the wards across the hospital, creating connections with those who might have felt lonely in hospital.
Jon Price, Vice Chair of the station, said only 40% of patients in the hospital get visits and “by playing requests it makes them feel more involved and cared for.”
The new studio has been set aside for the charity but they cannot resume broadcasting until new equipment has been purchased.
To raise money, the radio station has been taking their show on the road, setting up at local supermarkets, most recently at Morrisons in Hillsborough, asking for donations of any amount.
At these roadshows, Mr Flowers says customers can meet the radio’s mascot, Foxy, and request music while they shop. Their next roadshow is planned for 16 March in Crystal Peaks Shopping Mall.
Mr Flowers said: “We’d like for people to come and enjoy what they do, come out to the roadshows, raise some money and just have some fun and that’s what it’s about.”
The radio first began broadcasting, then known as Northern Radio from Lodge Moor Hospital in 1976, and are a registered charity. With their new radio room, the station also plan to broadcasting on internet radio for the first time.
A GoFundMe has been set up where people can donate to the radio station. People can also purchase the old radio equipment that is no longer needed by contacting emailing info@sheffieldhospitalradio.co.uk.
Mr Price has said that everyone working at the radio station is a volunteer, and they are always looking for more. Information about volunteering can be found here.
