Hospital radio in need of urgent funding

BHBN Radio broadcasts from its studio at the QE, to patients bedsides

A hospital radio station in Birmingham is looking for urgent funding so it can continue to broadcast.

BHBN Radio, which covers the QE, Birmingham Women's, Heartlands, Solihull, Royal Orthopaedic, Good Hope & Midland Metropolitan Hospitals has been broadcasting since 1952.

But, it is now worried about its future after the station said funding from NHS Birmingham and Solihull had stopped.

"I know what it's like when you're recovering... you really need [the radio] there to focus your mind on," listener Martin Searle from Halesowen said.

The station has been broadcasting since 1952

NHS Birmingham and Solihull said it must live within its financial means this year.

"In Birmingham and Solihull, that means delivering a breakeven position, including an efficiency saving of over 5%, equivalent to over £330 million."

"We recognise this will be difficult but we must live within the resources available to us."

The station costs £15,000 a year to run and operated entirely by its 54 volunteers, broadcasting 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

It has recently launched a Go Fund Me page with a current target of £3,000.

BHBN says a £40 donation keeps the station on air for one day.

Alan Dedicoat, known for being the "Voice of the Balls" started his career off at BHBN

Known as the "Voice of the Balls" on the National Lottery programmes, Alan dedicoat started his career at BHBN.

The Worcestershire broadcaster said: "BHBN also gives out useful information for people lying in bed who need it.

"It binds people together, you can become part of a group, part of a family," he added, speaking to BBC Radio WM.