It's an "air" raising challenge at Speysound Radio!

Speysound Radio presenter Cath Wright is reaching a whole new level of madness, undertaking a sponsored 24-hour show to raise much-needed funds for the station.

"Yes," she told the Strathy this week, "one presenter and one 24 hour period, starting at 11am on April 28 and hopefully finishing in one piece 24 hours later!"

Speysound Radio started life in 1993 as Ski FM, and for a while shared a frequency with MFR. Now listeners can tune in 24 hours a day on their own frequency 107.1FM, or online at www.speysound.com.

It’s not just local listeners, people from around the UK and the world tune in to the varied mix of shows on Speysound. They are staffed entirely by volunteers and are a non-profit company - fundraising is vital to keep on air, many community radio stations have stopped transmitting recently due to being unable to pay the ongoing costs. 2019 sees the team ramping up their fundraising efforts. Use of social media and free advertising means they are unable to rely on income from the more traditional radio advertising as they have in the past and need to get creative!

Co-chair Pete Carson said: “These days so many radio stations have been taken over by the 'big buyer' like Bauer - who now have over 25 stations in the UK. Community / local radio is where you will hear what is happening in your community. It is your station and you can be in direct touch or even better get involved. While you will hear on the larger stations about avalanches in Switzerland, we can tell you when there is ice on the High St. We care what you are up to - so never be hesitant getting in touch or even better – getting involved!”

Cath added: “We have a few big events coming up in the next few months that we’d really like the community to get behind and support their community radio station. Many people are still unaware that the station is no longer part of MFR and that we broadcast 24 hours a day.

"We are kicking off with the mammoth 24 hour which, quite honestly, might break me! But I’m planning lots of things to keep me awake - local businesses are welcome to pop by and for a donation to the station they can have a chat on air about their business. I’ll be challenging myself to a game of Super Scrabble, there will be bedtime stories for kids, the launch of our online auction, painting by numbers and all sorts of other weirdness!”

During May readers/listeners will also have the chance to bid for prizes in the station's online auction: "So far we have over £1000 worth of items, including some short break holidays up for grabs, rounds of golf, beer, water sports, ‘dippin’ dogs and tonnes more! If you would like to donate a ‘lot’ to the auction there is still time, please email cath.wright@speysoundcom

"Ideally, we are looking for a variety of activities, experiences, gifts, overnight stays, meals, cakes, vouchers and services – anything really that we can auction off to the highest bidder!

Anyone wanting to sponsor Cath and Speysound can do so online https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-shuffle-sessions-does-24-hours-

You can check out the auction at https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/speysoundauction – bidding starts on May 1.

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