A HOSPITAL radio station has launched an appeal to raise thousands of pounds to bring it into the 21st century.

Radio Airedale has been serving the patients and staff at Airedale Hospital, Steeton, for the past 30 years since the hospital was built.

But its equipment is getting outdated and in a bad state of repair.

Now radio bosses are launching a £20,000 appeal to buy a small transmitter and also need extra cash to buy new recording equipment.

Newly appointed Radio Airedale section leader Paul Scott explained the way patients listened to the service needed a radical re-think.

"At the moment patients listen via bedside headsets connected to a box, which is linked to wires which run right through all the wards," he said.

"But the headsets themselves are prone to breaking and the wiring itself has oxidised in the concrete walls.

"What we want to do is buy a medium wave transmitter with a half-a-mile radius which will allow hospital patients and staff to pick us up wherever they are in the hospital."

Radio Airedale is staffed by a dedicated band of volunteers who present programmes and collect requests from the wards.

All the money it receives has to come from fundraising, as the organisation is a registered charity.

"Some people think that the NHS pays for everything, but that's not the case," said Paul.

"Some of our equipment needs updating as it is always breaking down, and we need to have new specialist equipment if we get this transmitter, because we have to run a service 24 hours a day."

Paul, 30, first got involved with the station following a bad road accident which meant a lengthy stay in hospital and frequent visits to a specialist.

"When I was in hospital it was my link with the outside world," he said.

"It provides a vital service of music and chat and is a friendly voice for patients, many of whom get very bored being on the ward all day and night.

"What I want to do is update the station and bring it into the 21st century."

Paul is appealing to businesses across Craven and the Aire Valley to sponsor programmes on the station to help bring in revenue to finance its ambitious new venture.

The plan also includes a new logo which schoolchildren are being asked to design.

"The current logo is a pair of headphones and it's not at all inviting," added Paul.

"It's somewhat archaic and what we need is a logo which emphasises the friendliness of the station.

"The logo will also help publicise the station and inform people that we run a service which is there for the community and there for them."

The prize for the winning logo designer is the chance to learn how to be a radio presenter.

Anyone who would like to help with sponsorship of Radio Airedale should contact Paul Scott on 01535 652511 ext 4604, or e-mail at radioairedale@AOL.com

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