The power of radio for good
Posted on Thursday, December 22nd, 2011 at 7:51pm. #
All day on Wednesday, Hallam FM‘s news broadcasts covered details of a house fire in Thurcroft, a town to the East of Sheffield. Single mother Sam Woodburn (above) and her six children lost everything in the fire, including their christmas presents.
Spurred on by Hallam FM’s own station charity, “Cash for Kids”, listeners leapt in to help. The station has been helping to raise support, awareness, clothes, toiletries and Christmas gifts for the family since first hearing about the fire. Sam’s friends, and even complete strangers, have also rallied round offering their support; donating furniture, old clothes and money.
But that wasn’t all. In this clip, she’s told that one generous listener has even offered the family the use of a house until they get themselves sorted out.
Radio has the power to touch so many people in positive ways, all year round: and to help those in need. Radio – a shared experience produced by human beings – can achieve wonderful things if we put our minds to it.
Imagine your iPod – or Pandora – doing the same?
Have a wonderful holiday-time.
Good story. A great example of why social media – for example, last.fm – is not, has never been and cannot be the death of radio. There is a unique experience in the community consumption of radio that cannot be replicated fully elsewhere.
Merry Christmas James. Here’s to a great 2012 for radio.