Radio NOVA has raised €29,788 in its ‘Help Homelessness Radiothon’. and was donated entirely by listeners and businesses throughout Dublin, Kildare, Meath & Wicklow via telephone donations.
It is the first year the station has run its Radiothon, which saw a plethora of well-known people call into the station to voice their support over two days including broadcaster Brent Pope, comedian Neil Delamare, actor Peter Coonan (aka Fran from Love/Hate), snooker player Ken Doherty, footballer Roddy Collins, RTE’s Nuala Carey, TV presenter/author Lorraine Keane, The Stunning’s Steve Wall, comedians Catherine Lynch, The Nuala’s, Fred Cooke and Bosco!
The station turned over its airwaves for two full days to raise funds to help homelessness and set up a call centre staffed by Focus Ireland personnel in its HQ in the Dublin docklands.
NOVA’s self-imposed target figure had been €25,000.
“It’s been an emotional few days. We got the idea for the ‘Help Homelessness Radiothon’ after seeing a TV programme on Homelessness in January and we put our collective minds together to see how we could throw the resources of our radio station behind raising funds for this vital cause. The idea crystallised over the last few weeks and our whole team here at NOVA got behind the pledge drive to achieve today’s result”, said NOVA’s Kevin Branigan.
“Our listeners have not been found wanting. Every cent donated has gone directly to Focus Ireland and will help pay for safe accommodation and hot meals for homeless people throughout the Greater Dublin area over the coming months”, he said.
Rachel Murphy, Public Fundraising Manager for Focus Ireland, said “We are delighted to have had the support of Radio Nova and all of the listeners who have supported us over the last two days. We want to thank all of the team here at Nova and each and every listener who reached out to make a difference for young people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Last year Focus Ireland helped over 11,000 people, more than ever before, and it is thanks to the generosity and support of partners like Nova and their listeners who share our vision of ending homelessness that we are able to make this sort of impact.”
Radio NOVA broadcasts to Dublin, Kildare, Meath & Wicklow on 100.3FM. It’s presenter lineup includes Dee Woods & Marty Miller with the Morning Glory breakfast show, Greg Gaughran, Pat Courtenay and Sinead Ni Mhordha. The station has just recorded its highest daily reach to date *; the most recent JNLR report gives NOVA 132,000 listeners throughout the Greater Dublin area.
For more information, visit www.homelessradiothon.ie
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Further information: Elaine Leonard Radio Nova 01 524 1100
Source: JNLR /Ipsos/MRBI 2014/4. Dublin commuter belt. Daily Listenership *, Weekly Listenership **
