Charity radio station Christmas FM has returned to the airwaves – with test broadcasts now going out on their various FM frequencies, online and on digital TV, playing round-the-clock festive hits!
The station officially launches for 2014 at mid-day tomorrow, Saturday November 29th with a host of familiar radio voices volunteering their time to bring Christmas FM listeners round-the-clock Christmas tunes and festive updates until St. Stephen’s Day, with live programming starting at 7am each morning and running up to – and often right through – midnight.
A number of high profile personalities including Danny O’Carroll & Paddy Houlihan from Mrs. Browns Boys, Brian Kennedy, Síle Seoige, Al Porter and Dustin the Turkey will also be dropping into the station to share their Christmas memories and favourite holiday experiences!
More than 100 volunteers will participate across the on-air production and promotion of the station this year. Since 2008, Christmas FM has raised over €500,000 for charities including ISPCC Barnardos, Simon, Focus Ireland and Aware, while this year’s focus is on charity partner Age Action, with the station hoping to fund 30,000 essential home repair and maintenance jobs for vulnerable older people across Ireland as part of the ‘Age Action Care & Repair Programme’.
Christmas FM is sponsored this year by retailer Centra, who are covering the costs of running the station for the 3rd year running, ensuring that as much money as possible goes directly to the charity partner.
The main FM frequencies for Christmas FM are: Dublin City and County 94.3FM, Dublin Commuter Belt 88.1FM, Limerick 105.5FM, Galway 89.5FM, Cork 106.7FM, South East 103.8FM, North Midlands 99.4FM, North East 101.6FM and North Wicklow is 99.5FM – and in a first for Christmas FM this year, the station will also be available on the UPC Digital TV network, on channel 900.
Walter Hegarty, co-founder of Christmas FM, says: “This is Christmas FM’s seventh year on air and we are continually heartened by the generosity and support of our listeners and volunteers. Since we began broadcasting six years ago, we have raised in excess of €500,000 for charity, which is a wonderful achievement for everyone involved in the initiative. It proves that despite the difficulties Ireland is experiencing people still love some festive cheer and are happy to help out someone in need. We look forward to receiving texts and Christmas song requests from our loyal listeners. With every text sent, the proceeds of the €2 is donated to Age Action, so get listening and get texting. We’re really looking forward to being on air round-the-clock to get everyone in the festive mood.”
Eamon Timmins, Head of Advocacy and Communications, Age Action, says: “We are honoured to be chosen by Christmas FM as their charity partner. The money raised by the station’s listeners will enable us to carry out DIY jobs and visits for older people across Ireland. By doing so, we will enable them to continue living with dignity, independence and comfort in their own homes.”
Commenting on the partnership, Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of Centra said: “With 465 stores based in the heart of communities, Centra is delighted to once again support Christmas FM to help brighten up Christmas across the country. Christmas FM is a part of the nation’s Christmas tradition – it really is Christmas when the station goes live on the airwaves! We are delighted to partner with Christmas FM and as well as spreading the festive cheer, we are honoured to have the opportunity to support such a worthy cause as Age Action and help those in need during this seasonal period,”
If you liked this story, we can email you more radio news and alerts. Just fill in the form below.