Sheffield Live RADIOTHON

Sheffield Live! 93.2 FM, the local community radio, this week has been running its“radiothon”, a broadcast fundraising campaign to support communityvoices on Sheffield's airwaves. At seven o'clock this week Sheffield Live! 93.2 FM turned over its airwaves to a week long fund-raising drive which will run until 3 May,World Press Freedom Day 2009.

The campaign also celebrates 18 months on-air as a full-time community radio service for Sheffield Live! 93.2 FM. The early morning team, Fabian and Beatrice, opened the week with the words “Love Sheffield! Love Sheffield Live!” calling on listeners to call the Sheffield Live! Spring 2009 Appeal hotline, 0114 2814088, or visit thewebsite at http://www.sheffieldlive.org.

Coinciding with the appeal, Sheffield Live! also launched its new website, completely redesigned by local volunteer, Pete Beeston. Sheffield Live! volunteer programme makers and presenters have dropped their usual schedule to broadcast a round-the-clock campaign for listener donations and support. The Sheffield Live! Spring 2009 Appeal is supported by local musicians and artists who will be performing at venues around Sheffield as well as donating music tracks to a Sheffield Live! digital compilation.

Sangita Basudev, Chief Executive of Sheffield Live! said: “This is the first time that Sheffield Live! has organised an on-air fundraising appeal of this kind. We have been delighted by the number of offers of help and assistance that have already come forward. We are just hoping the enormous good will there is towards our work will be translated into real contributions and support.”

Local musicians backing the appeal include Toddla T, Mark Stoney and Mim Suleiman. The Harley will host a Sheffield Live! Showcase of local bands on Wednesday 29 April while other activities include a Jazz night at the Riverside tonight, a latin music night at Cubana on Tuesday, a bhangra music night at DQ on Thursday and a joint local music event with the Sticky collective.

Sheffield Live! is a not-for-profit community organisation that provides media facilities, training and broadcast services in support of cultural diversity and community voices.

The Sheffield Live! Spring 2009 Appeal aims to raise funds to support programme making of community benefit,media training for disadvantaged groups and the provision of public access media facilities. Throughout the week, the Communities Live! team at Sheffield Live! will bebroadcasting from the Winter Gardens, where members of the public can drop by and find out how to get involved -

Further information:Sangita Basudev, Chief ExecutiveTel: 0114 281 4082 http://www.sheffieldlive.org

I don't know why more local small businesses don't advertise on Sheffield Live. I know Community Radio stations aren't allowed to get more than 50% of their income from advertising but apart from City Taxis, advertising is sadly lacking and there's definitely room to generate a bit more income from that.

Anyway, I urge all to support Sheffield Live and donate as much as it's important stations like this stay on the air. Having heard community radio stations in other parts of the country, I'd say we are pretty lucky to have a station as good and as diverse as Sheffield Live.