[Community Radio] Companies unite for Radio Aid

[Michelle McGuire]

Companies unite for Radio Aid
Michael Rosser
  11 January 2005 11:49


  The UK’s biggest commercial radio groups are to join together for the 
first time in a bid to raise money for the young victims of the Asian 
tsunami disaster.

UK Radio Aid will see over 240 radio stations suspend normal 
broadcasting on 17 January for 12 hours and simulcast a special 
programme to an estimated audience of 20 million.

The London studios of Capital Radio, in Leicester Square, will be used 
to broadcast the show, featuring guest DJs every hour from 6am to 6pm.

Other groups taking part include Emap, GWR, Chrysalis, Guardian Media 
Group, Scottish Radio Holdings, Classic Cold and SMG-owned Virgin.

The programme, to which Prime Minister Tony Blair has pledged his 
support, will include guest interviews, competitions, live performances 
from musicians, messages and news breaks.

Participating stations will donate a day of profits and listeners will 
be asked to donate one hour of their time or money to relief programmes 
associated with the tsunami.

Mark Story, the chairman of UK Radio Aid and managing director of radio 
programming at Emap, said: "We wanted to do something on commercial 
radio that would get people to sit up and take the fundraising into the 
second phase."

Listeners can donate by phone, text or at the ukradioaid.com website.

Source: broadcastnow.co.uk