Christmas is a special time of year that for many will be shared with family and loved ones. But for those spending the festive season in hospital, Christmas can be a difficult and uncertain time.
Volunteers from Radio Harrow return for the 17th year to visit the wards, patients and staff of Northwick Park & St Mark’s Hospitals on Christmas Day, to chat, entertain, and spread a little festive cheer. Patient visiting is a cornerstone of Radio Harrow’s philosophy and the Christmas Day Request Show is no different. Volunteers spend time chatting with patients, collecting their song requests and even singing along with a few carols. Armed with song requests and stories from patients and their visitors, the volunteers return to the studio to plan Radio Harrow’s biggest show of the year. Broadcast from 10am until 12pm, the show is available online via the stations website and on smart speakers, throughout the hospitals and in the wider community.
Sarika Unadkat, a volunteer who regularly takes part in Radio Harrow’s Christmas Day request show, said:
“It’s the most joyous way to start Christmas morning. Giving back to the community and trying to spread Christmas cheer to patients who might be far from home and family. The show gives them that little bit of festive feeling, which gives us perspective on the true meaning of Christmas.”
These sentiments are shared by so many at Radio Harrow who regularly give their time to work with the charity to offer health and wellbeing advice to the communities of Harrow.
David Reece, Chairman of Radio Harrow, said:
“We take for granted that we can spend Christmas with our families. As Radio Harrow is based in Northwick Park Hospital we are reminded that those who are ill do not have that freedom. Radio Harrow delivers a vital service to our community within the four walls of Northwick Park. We provide a bridge to the wider Harrow Community, connecting them to their family and friends over the radio.”
Radio Harrow’s Christmas Day Request Show will be broadcast live 10am – 12pm on Wednesday 25th December, and can be heard via radioharrow.org
To request a song to be played on the show email studio@radioharrow.org
