Radio Lollipop – whose Playmakers use Play & Radio to help sick children cope with being in hospital \u2013 is clocking up over 28,000 virtual miles (45,000 km) linking all 29\u00a0Radio Lollipop hospitals around the world. The Miles for Smiles project will celebrate Radio Lollipop\u2019s 35 years with Playmakers, doctors, nurses, child patients and their families all walking, running, riding, swimming etc. for a year-long global promotion and fundraiser.
\nStarting in Dundee, Scotland the virtual journey will travel from the UK (via Cape Town) to Australia, NZ, the USA and back to Dundee. On the way Radio Lollipop plans to raise much needed support and funds to continue their highly valued charity work. Anyone interested in supporting this endeavor can help either by making a donation at www.radiolollipop.org. or organising their own Miles for Smiles activity.<\/p>\n
To mark its anniversary Radio Lollipop recently held an International Conference in London. In reviewing the past 35 years it was proudly noted they had:<\/p>\n
Studies show that Radio Lollipop delivers three major benefits:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe achievement of 35 years is a major milestone for the all-volunteer charity in supporting the children and we feel privileged to be a part of the healing process.\u201d \u00a0Bruce Uhlhorn, Chairperson, Radio Lollipop International<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The first Radio Lollipop was established in 1979 at Queen Mary\u2019s Hospital for Children in Carshalton, Surrey \u2013 as a one-off project. At that time, Queen Mary\u2019s was the largest children\u2019s hospital in Europe with over 460 beds in 36 wards on a 92 acre site. The concept was accepted and grew and although Carshalton has since closed, Radio Lollipop\u00a0is now in 29 children’s hospitals throughout the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.<\/p>\n
Monitor the progress and help us by donating “miles” (or money!) to make it round all Radio Lollipop stations.<\/p>\n