By Press Release
Our local hospital radio station has received a helping hand from Southern Vectis, with a £500 donation from the company’s community fund.
Sunshine Radio, which broadcasts 24 hours a day to patients and staff at St Mary’s Hospital and listeners on line used the funding to purchase specialist equipment that will keep the station running despite technical issues caused by outdated copper wiring and software changes.
Neil Jackson, Sunshine Radio presenter and chair, said: “We’re a charity staffed entirely by volunteers, and we’ve been operating since 1973.
While we’re here to brighten the days and nights of hospital patients, we also provide useful content for the wider community, including working with the chaplaincy team and Veteran Aware scheme.
“With some of our equipment becoming obsolete following the switch to Windows 11, and problems with copper wiring affecting our broadcasts, we reached out to Southern Vectis, and we’re delighted they were able to help.”
The donation enabled the station to install a device that bypasses the problem wiring and allows programmes to be distributed effectively.
Southern Vectis’ community fund supports local groups and charities with grants of up to £500 twice a year, in May and November.
Simon Moye, operations manager, said: “Sunshine Radio is a much-loved service offering comfort and connection to patients, staff and the wider Island. We’re proud to support the work of their dedicated volunteers.”
Mal Butler