Monthly Archives: April 2017

Studio opens at new Monash Children’s Hospital

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CHILDREN relocating to the new Monash Children’s Hospital in Melbourne found some familiar faces and were greeted by a brand new, state-of-the-art Radio Lollipop studio!

Thanks to the Chain Reaction Women’s 300 Bike Ride Challenge, the generosity of thousands of Victorians and the support from local companies Baezinger Coles and Sun Sets Australia, Radio Lollipop has built their first Melbourne radio studio adding live broadcasts to their strong ward-based play service.

During Children’s Week at Monash Children’s Hospital in 2011, Radio Lollipop had a “pop-up” studio in the foyer which launched the charity and ward visiting service. The success of the “pop-up” studio formed a strong foundation for the Radio Lollipop service and was a major factor in determining its location in the new hospital.

Having started with Radio Lollipop at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London, Honorary Chairperson Greg Hall leads our Monash volunteer team and could not be more excited about their new studio.

“I love music and I think it is something that most children can relate to. I saw first-hand at GOSH how much value the live radio broadcasts add to our Radio Lollipop shifts around the world and can’t wait for Monash to have its own.”

“Monash is such a busy health campus and it is so exciting to be part of the new hospital. We love visiting the patients and their siblings for a game of cards, a stupid dance, terribly bad jokes and the occasional party and now we have two hours of live music and entertainment to keep the kids engaged and not focused on their ailments. It’s the best two hours of my week!” Mr Hall said.

Melbourne designers Baezinger Coles together with set builders, Sun Sets Australia, created a bespoke moving wall from which the radio studio pulls out and slides back after each shift.

Radio Lollipop’s play service launched President and Founder, Hedley Finn MBE said the new Melbourne studio gave volunteers something extra in their bag of tricks to entertain the children.

“I am so very excited that Radio Lollipop is part of the new Monash Children’s Hospital and am looking forward to seeing our volunteers bring this wonderful studio to life. I am so grateful for the support and expertise of Baezinger Coles and Sun Sets Australia to design a unit that could accommodate our studio.”

Please give generously to help Radio Lollipop increase our shifts and see as many sick children in Melbourne as possible. You can donate, apply to be a volunteer or send us an enquiry to find out how you can help.

Celebrate Radio Lollipop’s Birthday with RL Newcastle

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Radio Lollipop Newcastle have launched a fundraiser to coincide with the first ever radio broadcast of Radio Lollipop Carshalton on 5th May 1979.  Sadly the original hospital Queen Mary’s for Sick Children is no longer here but the legacy of that first ever show lives on through every single one of our stations both in the UK and throughout the world including our newest member in South Africa.

Let us celebrate 38 years of dedication of our volunteers both past and present who have provided care, comfort play and entertainment to children in hospital and who will continue to do so in the future.

Southampton stalwart Lee scoops hospital hero award

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The tireless support and energy of Radio Lollipop Southampton stalwart Lee Donnarumma has been recognised with a prestigious award.

After more than two decades as the driving force behind the Southampton branch, Lee has received a Hospital Heroes award from University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.

Lee was presented with the accolade at the hospital’s recent annual staff awards, which took place at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.

The 39-year-old, who was Radio Lollipop Southampton’s main fundraiser for ten years before becoming chair last year, picked up the Gift of Time award, in recognition of volunteers who go the extra mile to support the hospital and its patients.

Lee, who beat 11 other finalists, said: “I never in a million years expected to be nominated for a Hospital Heroes award, yet alone to win, and so to say that I am truly humbled is an understatement.

“It’s a bit clichéd but Radio Lollipop is very much about the team. We have some fantastic volunteers, who are all heroes in my book.”

Over the last ten years alone, Lee has raised just under £31,000, which has kept the Southampton branch afloat.

He has been the brains behind numerous fundraising events, including the station’s popular Lollifest bands night, now in its sixth year.

Despite having three children and a full-time job which takes him around the country, Lee stepped up and took over the honorary chair role in January 2016.

His colleagues say his infectious enthusiasm ensures the important service to children on the wards continues – and that Radio Lollipop Southampton would not be the same without him.

Space…The Final Lollipop Frontier?..

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Space Bear Hobble and the Bristol Radio Lollipop Team, together with their friends from The University of the West of England have collaborated again this year to bring back the very popular Space Rocket Project Workshops!

Students from UWE Medical Science Society and UWE Student for the Exploration and Development of Space came up with a fun idea for children to design and decorate rockets to launch into space and asked Radio Lollipop if they would like to get involved.

The project was a huge success last year and is back every Wednesday evening for the foreseeable future.

Ann Sneha Jose from UWE has been involved with the project from the start;

“Creating the project has been highly rewarding. It’s been a pleasure to work with Radio Lollipop for two years; seeing the workshops develop and grow.”