By Victoria Brenan

Last updated at 13:58, Thursday, 04 October 2012

A 25-hour marathon broadcast raised £350 to help keep Carlisle’s hospital radio on the air.

The broadcast was held to mark the station’s 50th anniversary and boost funds to help with running costs.

Presenters and volunteers from Hospital Radio Echo also sold quiz sheets and collected donations in the atrium of the city’s Cumberland Infirmary during September.

Dan Slee, chairman of Hospital Radio Echo, said: “Thanks to everyone who donated money during our fundraiser. As we receive no funding, this will go towards the running costs of the station and helps secure our future.

“Our 50th birthday was a great opportunity to shout about what we do and as a result, we’ve met various people who are keen to get involved. Here’s to the next 50 years.”

Hospital radio began in Carlisle in January 1962 with live broadcasts of Carlisle United’s home matches. It broadened out in 1972 when Paul Braithwaite – now working for BBC Radio Cumbria – started a request show and the programmes were broadcast at the Cumberland Infirmary and the City General and City Maternity hospitals, now university buildings in Fusehill Street.

Hospital Radio Echo can be found on channel five on the Hospedia patient entertainment system at the Cumberland Infirmary.

First published at 11:26, Thursday, 04 October 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk