Darent Valley Hospital's volunteer radio station broadcasts live from 10am Saturday 14 November to 10am Sunday to fund a mobile broadcast unit.

Valley Park Radio, the volunteer-run station at Darent Valley Hospital, will broadcast live for 24 hours this weekend to raise £6,000.

The Big Benefit Broadcast runs from 10am on Saturday 14 November to 10am on Sunday 15 November, with the station’s own presenters on air throughout. It is the station’s first annual fundraiser, according to its JustGiving appeal.

What the money is for

The £6,000 target is for a new mobile broadcast unit. The appeal page says it would let the station broadcast live from inside the hospital and from local community events. Patients and staff who cannot get to those events could then hear them on the station.

The station says it relies on donations to keep its equipment up to date and stay on air.

How to listen

The station’s website lists these ways to tune in:

  • Patients at the hospital: channel 1 on the bedside units
  • Online: the player on valleyparkradio.org.uk
  • Apps: Radioline, liveradio.uk, or by asking Alexa

Requests go to the studio on 01322 428362, by text to 07700 173222, or by email to vprrequest@gmail.com, according to the station’s website.

What it means for you

  • If you have a relative in Darent Valley Hospital this weekend, you can send them a request and they can hear it on channel 1.
  • Donations go through the JustGiving page, which is open now.
  • The station plays music around the clock all year, with live presenter shows on weekdays, so it is worth a listen after the weekend too.