Radio Station's £12,000 Boost

South Northumberland Radio Group's campaign to raise funds for its second FM and simultaneous on-line broadcast has, this month, received two boosts: £500 from Blyth Town Council's Community Chest fund and a Big Lottery Fund Awards for All grant offer of £6251.

This funding adds to £5250 in recent grants and donations from West Bedlington Town Council, the Co-op Community Fund, the Newcastle-based Sir James Knott Trust and an anonymous overseas well-wisher.

The group's chairman, Colin Heathcote said: "We're absolutely delighted that our fund raising efforts have paid off and that we can go ahead with another broadcast.

"Apart from the funding, we have had tremendous support for our project to provide a genuinely accessible community radio service from people and organisations throughout our broadcast area of south east Northumberland.

"Amongst the many letters and messages received are those from several parish and town councils in the area, the local MPs, Northumberland County Council, Alan Shearer, the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, the Salvation Army, Samaritans, Wansbeck CVS, Age UK, Bedlington Forum, Friends of Gallagher Park, British Red Cross, Bedlingtonshire Chamber of Trade and Sir John Hall who is currently chairing a committee which aims to breathe new life into Ashington town centre."

He added: "Our broadcast in March last year attracted nearly 100 studio guests and was well received in the community. The second broadcast will enable us to build on that success and give volunteers a chance to further hone their broadcasting skills as we await Ofcom's five-year licence application decision."