Member of the Scottish parliament and Leader of the Scottish Green Party came into the Radio Lollipop Edinburgh studio recently and had a chat ‘on-air’ with John Macaulay.

Robin then took a number of questions from children in the wards including an interesting question what does a MSP do . Robin in his jovial gave frank and honest answers. He then accompanied by the Thursday night team visited the children in the wards of the hospital he was accompanied by his pet penguin and also his guitar and rumour has it he sung a song
for the children.

Thanks are extended for Robin for his kindness shown and he promised to come back to see us in the hospital again very soon.

The Radio Lollipop team in Newcastle are starting to wind down after a week of live broadcasts aimed specifically at their children’s cancer ward.

The shows will took place daily from the 3rd – 7th July from 1pm-6pm and led up to the hospital’s summer fete on July 8th.

“At the moment, our position is that we only have radio available on one ward – our children’s cancer ward” said Lollipop Newcastle volunteer Helen Hudspith.

“However, we have had a really successful week and have harnessed this to our advantage by doing a week of shows focussed on our children’s cancer patients and their families. We offered a studio open day every day where members of the public could walk in and look around. We got a great response especially from families with children. Several people came more than once to see what was going on in the studio and to ask for songs. We’d like to say a big THANK YOU to Claire Short, the play specialist on our children’s cancer ward for bringing the kids down to the studio and for getting involved in making the week a success”.

Volunteer DJ Chris Felton said

“the open door policy was very successful because people who didn’t know anything about Lollipop poked their heads in the door and were hooked. Adults and kids alike seemed to enjoy their visits. People loved asking for requests for kids they had never even met… I think they felt like they were really a part of improving the atmosphere for children who may have a dull and boring or even frightening and upsetting day otherwise.”

Thanks to all of the families who came to see the studio and for the members of staff who worked closely with the Lollipop team to make the week a special one.

Biggest thanks go to Shay, Sydney, Abbie, Courtney, Jabez, Terry, David, Jessica and Michael – our ward 16 kids and teens who listened and requested their favourite songs…we wouldn’t be there without you!

The Radio Lollipop Newcastle team have provided their unique roadshow service to the pupils of Kingston Park Primary School as a massive thank you for the efforts of the children in this year’s toy drive.

Volunteer presenter Helen Hudspith said,

“We were happy to take part in Kingston Park Primary’s summer fayre because the school really pulled out all the stops to support the charity this year. A very successful toy drive meant that we have hardly had to buy any prizes for the children on the wards this year – they have all been provided for us by families from Kingston Park. We were genuinely amazed by the response!”

New volunteer Kate Fenwick summed up the successful day by saying

“Our volunteers very much enjoyed the fayre and celebrated in the glorious weather – we’ll be happy to go back and do it all over again for Kingston Park Primary as both organisation have benefitted from the close relationship we are developing”.

Jayne Deivey, Deputy Head at the school contacted Radio Lollipop to say how pleased the school were with the team’s efforts:

“Just to say a huge thank you for your support on Saturday. I think the music made all the difference and it was good for the parents and children to have the opportunity to talk to you about what happened to the toys they donated.

It would be good to keep in touch and perhaps to formalise a toy drive day again for 2007. Our pupils are keen to help in any way they can.

On behalf of all the team here thank you once again to all of your team for their efforts on the day.”

So…watch this space for further news of how Radio Lollipop is linking with local schools to improve life for sick kids in a hospital near you!