As part of kmfm’s campaign to support Marie
Curie Cancer Care’s “Kent
Needs More Frankys” appeal, the network hosted a 12 hour
fundraising auction on
Friday, October 30 that raised more than £12,000 to help
employ more nurses in Kent.
KM Group Head of Radio, Steve Fountain: “We
had some fantastic items to auction off during the day and others
came in as we broadcast. We had some really good feedback from
listeners. For me events of this kind show the strength of radio in
the community.”
The auction started at 6am with the local
breakfast show presenters and continued for over 12 hours. Among
the many presenters involved was Oli Kemp, host of kmfm Medway’s
Breakfast Congregation and Programme Controller for that station
too. "I can't believe
we managed to raise over £12,000 for Marie Curie,” he said. “Even
during times like we're in now, where disposable income is hard to
find, this just goes to show the strength of local radio in the
community and how valuable it really is."
Auction highlights included a trip backstage
and around the set of Emmerdale (£1,200 raised), “Ranger for a day”
at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation in Smarden (£400 raised), Leeds
Castle Fairytale Xmas experience (£900 raised), “Tea at Sea” with
Tony Blackburn (£700 raised) and a wedding video package supplied
by Advantage Media UK Ltd (£400 raised).
As kmfm was breaking from its traditional
schedule for a late night Halloween special 'Frightday Night'
broadcast the same
day, one listener also got the opportunity to bid
to become part of the kmfm ghost hunting team
on their outside
broadcast at the Black Horse pub in Pluckley. Kent’s most
haunted village.
Oli adds "We decided that it naturally made
sense to tie one piece of activity in with the other. By
opening up a place for one of our listeners
we raised a further £300 for Marie Curie."
Amanda Mendzil of Marie Curie Cancer Care's
Fund Raising Office says “It was a fantastic day. The
generosity of the listeners and the station has been wonderful and
will provide Kent with more nursing.”
(November 5, 2009)