Radiothon raises funds for cancer

Cancer services on Leeside are to benefit after some mammoth work from a local radio station.

The 13th annual Cork’s 96FM’s Giving for Living Radiothon ended with €385,566 being raised to support the Mercy Hospital Foundation, CUH Charity, Marymount Hospice, Cork ARC Cancer Support House and Breakthrough Cancer Research.

It brings the total raised so far by radiothons, run by the Wireless Group station, to €5.4 million.

Following the decision to cancel the 2020 event because of Covid-19, the radiothon went ahead this year in a scaled back fashion in line with the current restrictions.

Outside broadcasts from the Mercy Hospital and CUH were replaced with special programmes presented by 96FM’s on-air team based at the broadcasting house.

Speaking to ‘The Opinion Line’ on the first day of radiothon, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, described it as “one of the great fixtures in Cork’s fundraising calendars”.

Group Station Director of Cork’s 96FM and C103 Kieran McGeary said: “The Cork’s 96FM Giving for Living Radiothon is all about the people of Cork coming together and generating money to support local cancer services The generosity of the people of Cork never ceases to amaze us. That’s highlighted by the fantastic sum raised in just three days yet again. And we expect that total may increase in the days and weeks ahead.”

Despite restrictions, listeners held fundraising events right across Cork city and county like virtual coffee breaks and no uniform days.

Bus Eireann drivers operated the city’s biggest collection box which this year was an open-top bus at Cork’s Bus Station on Parnell Place, and collected more than €11,000.