NEWS: DURHAM FREEMASONS’ DONATION

Prince Bishops Hospital Radio, which has seen its volunteers broadcasting from makeshift studios in their homes, has been given a £1400 boost from Durham Freemasons. 

When the Coronavirus prohibited volunteers from carrying our usual duties within Bishop Auckland, Darlington Memorial and Richardson Hospital in Barnard Castle, it had to move operations offsite into the homes of volunteers. 

Thanks to technology this allowed the service to continue to broadcast 24 hours a day and continue the interaction with their audience. The donation has allowed the charity to buy equipment for those who do not have facilities, produce more programmes and find innovative ways to communicate with the audience who they normally visit in person on the wards. 

Craig Robinson, Station Chairman said: We have always been pioneers when it comes to finding creative ways to broadcast, but we were not prepared for Global Pandemic. It is something that we will see the effects of for years, but the funding provided has allowed us to think differently and adapt our services to meet the needs of the patients and staff of the hospitals we serve. Craig who has volunteered for the charity for over 25 years and has led the charity through restructure, studio moves and kept the station on air during difficult times in the charity sector added: We have found more innovative ways of working and this will, of course, shape our charity and how we work in the future”

PR Manager, Chris Nisbet, produced a short video thanking Durham Freemasons explaining some of the challenges which have been faced. He added: Our volunteers are finding it tough, but ultimately want to keep patients entertained and informed. We are extremely grateful to Durham Freemasons for considering our application and accepting it. £1400 will help us tremendously during this difficult period”