As part of Volunteers’ Week, we’re highlighting the work of our member stations and their volunteers. Jane Gillam is the Fundraising Manager at Hospital Radio Plymouth. She tells us about her fundraising efforts during a global pandemic.
——————-
I took over the fundraising managers role for Hospital Radio Plymouth in November 2019.
Keen to make an impression I had arranged a bucket collection on the Torpoint Ferry, had secured £500 grant from the National Lottery to host a quiz night & was half way through an Easter Raffle when lockdown came!
These events unfortunately had to be cancelled,however I continued with the Easter Raffle & I eventually drew the winning tickets in my own dining room being videoed on Halloween raising £470!
I had heard from a HRP member about a local musician Tom Baker, who was performing live stream gigs online for charity.I contacted Tom & he was keen to help out a local charity.So he said YES!
On the 1st April 2020 Tom performed a live stream gig on Facebook, he played & sang for 3 hours, people donated & a grand total of £1,428 was raised for HRP.
Prior to the 1st lockdown I had organised 10 new collection tins & placed these in & around Derriford Hospital & other places including takeaways.
These tins proved crucial throughout lockdown with lots of funds coming in so I ordered 10 more & since then well over £1,200 has been collected.
Lots of funding was available online during Covid-19, so I began to submit grant submissions.
I had never done anything like this before & I do struggle with computers but with determination & the help of my husband these grants became very fruitful & I am pleased to say that so far HRP has been awarded £8,500 through grants that I have submitted.
During the Covid pandemic HRPs donate button became live & active & can be found on the website.It is quick & easy to use.
Since Nov2019-to the present day almost £14,000 has been awarded/collected for HRP since I became their fundraising manager.
2/3rds of the presenters set up mini studios in their own homes during lockdown including my husband Tony who is the programme controller for HRP, our son Jack is also a member. HRP have & continue to provide a vital communications link for patients, their families, friends & the wider community. As a Nurse I know how listening to music can improve people’s mental health & also aid patients recoveries.
Hopefully with restrictions now easing I am hoping to organise fundraising events that all members can now get involved with.It will be brilliant to meet up socially again!
I am very proud of being a volunteer for HRP & am so pleased to have secured almost £14,000 for them.This funding will mean they can continue to broadcast & keep up the fantastic work they have been doing during these unprecedented times!
Let’s put the FUN back into FUNdraising!