Substantial Donations

Hospital Radio volunteer, Frank Benson (centre) accepts cheques from the Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Doris Jones (right) and Alan Watson, President of Darlington Lions Club (left). Darlington Hospital Radio (Radio Skerne) is to benefit from two generous donations from local organisations. Two cheques for £500 from the Mayor of Darlington’s Charitable Fund and Darlington Lions Club were presented in the Mayor’s Parlour at Darlington Town Hall at 1pm on Thursday 14 November. Radio Skerne volunteers Frank Benson, Liason Officer, met with the Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Doris Jones, and representatives from the Lions Club for the official cheque hand-over. The Substantial Donations, totalling £1000, will go towards a computerised jingle and music playout system. It is not the first time Darlington Hospital Radio has benefited from donations from the Mayor’s Charitiable Fund and the Lions Club, as Mike Smith, Station Manager of Radio Skerne explains: “Both charities have been very generous in the past, in fact, the Lions club was instrumental in setting up the station in 1984. “The money will help buy a new computer system that will be used to digitally store music and station jingles, a system that is now found in other Hospital Radio stations up and down the country.” “The station currently uses a cartridge based jingle system, but over time these units have broken down and replacement parts are hard to find because they are no longer made.” Radio Skerne is also proud to announce that they have also been connected to a new bedside television, radio and telephone system that has been installed by a private company, Patientline. “For the fist time, patients of Darlington Memorial Hospital will be able to receive the station in stereo through the new Patientline system,” explains Mike Smith. “All patients will be able to use the bedside terminals and listen to Darlington Hospital Radio free of charge on Channel 6.” Radio Skerne is run entirely by volunteers and it is always on the lookout for new members over the age of 18 to become ward visitors/request collectors, fundraisers and people who can spare their time to help out. For further information contact the station on (01325) 743304. Or write to: Radio Skerne Darlington Memorial Hospital Hollyhurst Road Darlington DL3 6HX Alternatively contact the station through their e-mail address: radio_skerne@hotmail.com