Kimberly does well-ie

Kimberley from Ward 6A made a big splash at Radio Lollipop in Glasgow this week when she designed her own wellies for Glasgow’s St Swithin’s Day show.

Traditionally, if it rains on St Swithin’s Day (15 July) it will rain for another 40 days, but if the weather stays dry it will be fair for 40 days. The Glasgow volunteers kitted themselves out with wellies and sunglasses just in case, and the children designed umbrellas, wellies, and even their own symbols for a giant weather map in the studio.

Presenters Big Andy Gray and Smiley Stewart played loads of rainy requests and sunny singles, from Travis’ ‘Why does it always rain on me’ to Katrina and the Waves’ ‘Walking on Sunshine’. Stewart was then brave enough to do a special forecast from the playground outside the hospital, and reported on the weather at Radio Lollipop stations around the world.

Although it didn’t rain on the day, the winner of the Weathery Wordsearch competition was lucky enough to get an exclusive Radio Lollipop umbrella – very useful in Glasgow as it has already rained since then!

Glasgow makes a big noise for lord provost

The Lord Provost’s Procession 2004 was another Radio Lollipop success in Glasgow. This year’s theme was to celebrate 10 years democracy of South Africa, in doing this the participants were asked to decorate their vehicle of choice in the most colourful way possible and make as much noise as possible between Blythswood Square and George Square and of course Radio Lollipop was the loudest.

Although it was a very wet, cold and dull day this didn’t dampen our spirits and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves especially the children who came along for the ride and were kept dry by the Radio Lollipop umbrellas that came in very handy on the day.

A great big thank you goes to Alex Pringle of Scotguide Tourist Services Clydebank for the use of their open top bus, Forsyth Glazing Ltd Glasgow Cross for the loan of their generator, Mitchell’s Self Drive Rutherglen for a loan of their vans, the South African Embassy in London for providing us with the three giant flags that were the 2nd most attraction on our bus, Radio Lollipop volunteets being the most attractive of course.

A huge thank you goes to all the volunteers who gave up valuable time to decorate the bus, the Yorkhill nursing staff who came along to support the event and of course all the volunteers who turned up on the wet Saturday morning with huge smiles on their face. Ready to greet the waiting public and provide that Radio Lollipop magic they have become so good at doing.

Southampton celebrates 10th birthday

The run up to Southampton’s 10th Birthday started with a Roadshow at the Shamblehurst Primary School Summer Fayre at Hedge End, near Southampton. The weather forced the event indoors, however it did not dampen the atmosphere and Radio Lollipop, Southampton provided the announcements, music and entertainment for the 5th year running.

There were plenty of stalls, activities and competitions plus a Karate display and 2 dance displays from Spinners Dance Studio ending with a lovely chorus of “Happy Birthday to Radio Lollipop” and a mass performance of the Cha Cha Slide from the Spinner’s Dancers and many other children.

The Southampton station was set up in 1994 as part of the sponsorship package for the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race. In that time they have been able to provide a dedicated team of volunteers to travel around the wards and talk to, play with and entertain the children and young adults at Southampton General Hospital. They also supply activities such as colouring; puzzles; word searches; crosswords; a craft trolley and regular competitions with prizes. This unique play service is complimented by radio shows that are broadcast on 3 nights a week (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) and the presenters play the children’s requests, interact with the children in the studio and use special telephones to link up “live” with the wards.

On Sunday 4th July 2004, Honorary Chairman, Steve Read and Thursday night volunteer, Winston Crosby made a special visit to all the children’s wards and run a competition where the children had to design a 10th Birthday card.

Despite the sporting events of the day that dominated the TV (French Grand Prix, Wimbledon Tennis – Men’s Final and the Euro 2004 Final), there were many fantastic entries and judging was extremely difficult. Steve and Winston chose 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, however there were consolation prizes for everyone that entered.

After nearly 4 hours of travelling around the wards and backwards and forwards to the Radio Lollipop studio, Steve and Winston tucked into some Birthday cake!!

The afternoon was a huge success and both Steve and Winston said “It was lovely to mark the occasion by spending time with the children and doing what we do best. We bought smiles and laughter and a distraction from their hospital stay.”

Other birthday celebrations are being planned for later on in the year, starting with a Strawberry Fayre at Bursledon House Children’s Centre, Tremona Road, Shirley on Thursday 22nd July 2004, between 1-4pm.