Volunteers are working hard to get the Down Community Radio FM105 back up and running
Down Community Radio FM105 is pressing forward with fundraising to get the radio back up and running once more and is delighted at receiving a substantial prize voucher from Hay’s Travel to boost the campaign.
Many local listeners and people from other far-flung areas were disappointed when SERC took the decision to cut its ties with the radio station last summer.
However, a group of loyal supporters, DJs and programme facilitators have come together to breathe new life into the radio station which has been closed since July.
The Board of Down FM105 are still holders of the Ofcom licence and are presently sorting out the various legalities around licences etc.
The fundraising target was to raise around £6000 to get the station initially streaming its programmes once more.
Gareth McDowell, Chair of Down Community Radio FM 105, said: “On behalf of all our board and supporters I’d like to give a massive thank you to all the sponsors who have contributed with their travel voucher for our big draw to try and get us back up and running.
“We are not live yet though. An engineer has to fix up the radio mast in the St Patrick Centre and test the radio signal. Once that is done in December we are on our way.
“We hope to be live probably just after Christmas or early new year once we get the programmes properly planned out. The station will run 24/7.
“With the funds raised so far we have bought some essential equipment such as a computer and it all looks good.
“I’d like to give a special thanks to Hays Travel who have made a substantial contribution to our development fund along with other supporters such as ALPS.
“We still have some tickets left for our mammoth draw with lots of prizes taking place on the 21st December so please buy one and help us get up and running, and please donate to our street collection in Downpatrick later in December.
James Burke, Manager of Hays Travel in Downpatrick, said: “We are delighted to help Down Community Radio get back on track again.
‘We used to listen to them on a regular basis and I know local listeners do miss the music and craic on the airwaves.
“So we are looking forward to the radio station getting back on air again and streaming their music. We are glad to support them as they will bring a lot of cheer to a lot of people once again.
“Our community budget is now fully committed now for our next financial year, but we will support our local community when and where we can.”
Cyril McKinney, Treasurer of Down FM 105 said: “We are on target and still have a number of technical issues to sort out but it’s all a big learning curve for most of us.
“Our supporters have been selling tickets and have done well so once we’ve sold the remaining tickets it will be all systems go.
“We are well on our way and looking forward to streaming initially, then we can run live shows going forward. It’s been a busy and tricky couple of months but there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.
“We will be located in the old BBC studio in the St Patrick Centre and we are very grateful to Dr Tim Campbell and the Board for agreeing to accommodate us up there.
“So we are delighted at the backing from Hays Travel. It will go a long way in getting us on track.Some lucky person will enjoy winning this voucher in our big draw.”
