Radio Horton returned to face-to-face fundraising collections at two Banbury supermarkets this Christmas, raising £716.85 to support its charitable activities.
Volunteers from the hospital, health and wellbeing broadcaster, which celebrates its sixtieth anniversary next year, entertained shoppers at Tesco’s on Lockheed Close and Sainsbury’s on the Oxford Road, in the run up to the festive season, playing a selection of festive music, including a brief visit from Santa and his Elf’s!
Radio Horton Chair, Sam Smette said: “Like many organisations, Radio Horton was unable to hold charity fundraising collection events through the pandemic, and we took the difficult decision to postpone last Christmas due to the rise in cases.”
“We are delighted that we were able to return to both Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s supermarkets in December and thank the kindness and generosity of shoppers. We recognise that in this cost of living crisis, times are difficult for everyone, so we really do appreciate every penny”.
The radio station is considering new means of reaching audiences, and last year completed its transition to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, a new type of charity structure. At that time, the trustees introduced a new model object, aimed towards improving the health and wellbeing of the local community through broadcasting health educational content to listeners across North Oxfordshire.
It also forged links with NOxDAB, a consortium of local people and industry experts, which is bidding to bring digital radio, or Small Scale DAB, to North Oxfordshire. Radio Horton is hoping to apply itself for an Ofcom Community Digital Sound Programme (C-DSP) license, which will allow it to broadcast to the local area, promoting health and wellbeing and the work that the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust delivers in the wider community.
The move also aligns with the NHS Long Term plan around the prevent of the advancement of ill health and providing care in the community and the station is already looking to broadcast to local care homes.
Radio Horton is undertaking a recruitment drive and is seeking volunteers who can assist the organisation in delivering its strategic, including roles in Charity Fundraising & Campaigns and a Care Home Coordinator.
Sam continues: “We are excited about the future prospects and opportunities for the radio station, which also retains close ties to its heritage at the Horton General Hospital.
“We have a number of ‘behind the scenes’ voluntary roles we would like to fill, so that we can deliver our new charitable objects. Volunteering is a great opportunity to increase skills and knowledge and is great for furthering career opportunities, too.”
“We are passionate about providing a hospital, health and wellbeing broadcasting service that is local and reflects the diversity of our community. The funds raised by our community over Christmas will certainly help us towards achieving this.”
Anyone interested in volunteering, or supporting their local hospital, health and wellbeing broadcasting service is encouraged to get in touch with Radio Horton.
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