Mayor of Darlington's Generous Donation to Radio Skerne

It is with delight that I'm able to tell you that the outgoing Mayor of Darlington (2008/9), Councillor Ian Haszeldine, invited representatives of Darlington Hospital Radio (Radio Skerne) to the Town Hall to receive a very generous cheque.

As the Vice-Chairman and Station Secretary, I was asked to attend a gathering of local organisations to pick up a cheque from the Mayor.

The Mayor had already given visited our studios and he took part in one of the shows. Councillor Haszeldine gave the charity a cheque for £800 on that occasion. That money would cover the two main expenses each year- insurance and the broadcast license to Phonographic Performance Limited.

I attended this meeting on Wednesday 13th May 2009 along with the the station Chairman, Frank Benson, and Treasurer, Mike Denham.

We didn't know how much was going to be donated on this occasion, but even a hundred pounds would have been an enormous help.We were completely lost for words when our group was highlighted for special attention. The Mayor's last duties in office was to reward local organisations for their efforts in the community.

Councillor Haszeldine talked about the visit to our studios and the on-air interview in which he commented that yet again he was roped into singing a song on the radio. It was all in good humour and I was singled out as the presenter who conducted that interview.

At the end of the wonderful comments from the Mayor, he called forward the representatives from the station to receive a cheque for £3,000!!!

We couldn't really believe it, the charity hadn't received financial assistance of that kind for many years. It also meant that the station could keep on entertaining the patients at Darlington Memorial Hospital for many more years to come.

The station now has a comfortable financial safety net in place and we will continue to cater for our listeners to the best of our abilities.

A letter of thanks has been sent to the outgoing Mayor of Darlington and he is keen on a second trip to our studios. Councillor Haszeldine will always be welcome at the studios of Radio Skerne and I look forward to meeting up with him in the near future.

Darlington Hospital Radio (Radio Skerne) is always on the look-out for new members who are aged 18 or over. If you would like to join the station and can spare a few hours every week, please do not hesitate to get in touch:

Telephone: 01325 743304
E-mail: radio_skerne@hotmail.com
Web: www.communigate.co.uk/ne/radioskerne

Darlington Hospital Radio (Radio Skerne)
C/o Darlington Memorial Hospital
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
DL3 6HX

[Pictured above (L-R) Mike Denham, Treasurer, Frank Benson, Chairman of Darlington Hospital Radio and The Mayor of Darlington (2008/9), Councillor Ian Haszedine]

John Forbes
Professional DJ
http://www.johnforbes.net/