South Norfolk Radio recently launched a GoFundMe campaign as the not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) seeks to raise funds to ensure it stays on the air despite the current difficult financial situation. “As a community radio station, run entirely by a dedicated team of volunteers, we are proud to position ourselves at the heart of the South Norfolk community, showcasing, publicising and championing local talent, artists, schools, charities, community groups and enterprises and taking centre stage at events like Wynterfest” says radio station manager Anthony Woods.

“We are looking at ways to increase the services that we can offer to community groups and other organisations in the South Norfolk area and are currently exploring the possibility of providing a service to educators, encouraging children with their language and social skills as they put together their own radio show” explains Anthony.

“We're actively seeking grant funding that may be available to help us with this aim” he continues “and we have recently been successful in obtaining a DAB Broadcasting licence from OFCOM, which would enable us to expand from being an online-only radio service to being able to broadcast to air in the local area, but there are significant additional costs involved in expanding the service in this way”.

“In common with all other businesses and individuals, we’re looking at ways to reduce our fixed costs in the current climate” he continues ”and we’re hopefully going to be able to make a very significant announcement shortly about an imminent relocation for our studio premises which we hope will help to secure our long term future.”

Fellow South Norfolk Radio Director Tristan Ashby, who hosts the ‘Thursday Night Club’ at 6pm each week, said “We are actively encouraging on-air advertising and sponsorships, but we only receive a very small income from that direction at the moment. We want to encourage more local businesses to support us in this way - with local businesses advertising to local people. And our rates are extremely modest, as we know that everyone’s finances are stretched.”

Radio Station Manager Anthony Woods says that South Norfolk Radio’s volunteers are very keen to keep the Community Station on the air, but it’s going to need help from the community. “You could help by becoming a member - (there’s no compulsion to actually get behind a microphone and present a show if your skills lay elsewhere); you could advertise your business or services on our station or, if you’re able, you could simply make a donation on our GoFundMe page” says Anthony. “All the money raised will be used to enable us to continue to broadcast and support local causes through publicising them on air and attending outside events through the year. If you think you can help us in any way with funding, however small, please donate what you can. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated and will allow us to build a better service for our community. And if you do help us, we want to say a very big thank you” says Anthony.

South Norfolk Radio’s GoFundMe page is open for donations here https://www.gofund.me/b7c3c9c2

You'll find South Norfolk online at www.snradio.uk with a full programme schedule and local events guide on the website too. The station is available on many radio streaming apps and on Smart Speakers. Anthony Woods says “Basically, if you’ve got an internet connection, you can listen to South Norfolk Radio - and we’d love you to do just that!”