One thing I definitely missed when I gave up working in radio in 2022 was the charity work. As soon as we decided to start another station, the Radiothon was already being organised. After opening in February, we decided to wait until we were more established before setting a date.
With any charity work, I think it’s very important that everyone who has helped us raise money knows where it is going and how we are helping. I asked each charity to let us know how our donation would help them.
⸻
Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH)
My relationship with GOSH dates back to 2004 through my work with Pirates and the Pirates Charity Premieres. When the Premieres ended in 2016, I continued supporting GOSH through the Radiothons. I’ve also run the London Marathon twice for them, in 2008 and 2010, raising £10,867.00.
Through the Premieres and Radiothons, I am very proud to say we have now raised a total of €766,057.60 for GOSH, supporting many important projects over the years.
Laura Foy, Senior Fundraising Executive – Partnership Management, wrote:
“Every day, around 750 seriously ill children and young people are seen at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Your support through the Radiothon is helping to build a brighter future for them.
With your support, GOSH Charity helps fund advanced medical equipment for treating the toughest conditions, as well as support services that help make life in hospital as normal as possible for young patients and their families. The funds raised also support pioneering research to find treatments and cures for rare and complex childhood illnesses. And thanks to your fundraising, we can build the new Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Cancer is the biggest killer of children aged one to 14 in the UK, and this centre will help us beat cancer for more children.
Whether it’s the children at the hospital right now, or the patients of tomorrow, you are making a difference. GOSH has always depended on generous supporters like you to enable seriously ill children to fulfil their potential. The incredible support from people like you means everything to the children and families at GOSH, who are facing some of the hardest challenges of their lives.
On behalf of the children, families and staff at GOSH, thank you so much for generously supporting the Radiothon!”
Thanks,
Laura
⸻
Son Espases Hospital
We have a great relationship with our local public hospital in Palma. Since we started the Radiothon in 2015, we have raised €49,424.87 for the hospital.
Our work with them has been in the paediatric department and the children’s intensive care unit. Money raised in previous years has helped fund various projects, including decorating an MRI scanner and its room, painting the paediatric ward doors with cartoon characters, creating a brand-new waiting room for parents with children in intensive care, and many other smaller projects.
Natalia Vallés Ruiz, Head of Nursing, told me:
“In order to improve the paediatric patient’s hospital experience and reduce fear and anxiety associated with certain medical procedures, Son Espases has developed a collection of stories specially designed for different moments in the care process for children.
The main character is URPI, the mascot of the Paediatrics Emergency Department. As part of this project, a specific story has been created in which URPI accompanies the child throughout the entire care process, acting as a guide and a friend, helping them feel more comfortable and providing emotional security.
The main purpose of this resource is to reduce fear and anxiety during medical procedures. The activity is conceived as a ‘special mission’ while health professionals carry out the necessary procedures.
Funding from the Radiothon will be used to decorate part of the Paediatric Emergency Department, continue developing and producing visual and narrative materials, and work towards the final goal: fully decorating the Paediatrics ER.”
Many thanks,
Natalia
⸻
Yachting Gives Back
Nick Entwistle set up YGB in 2019 after retiring from Pinmar Yachting, with the aim of fighting hunger and poverty in Mallorca. It is supported by donations from superyachts, the yachting community, and beyond.
Dear Richie,
Very many thanks to you and your lovely team at Wave Mallorca Radio, together with your generous sponsors and donors, for the wonderful donation from your very successful Radiothon.
We have already used some of the funds to buy a much-needed new fridge freezer for the Can Gazà shelter, and we look forward to putting the rest to good use—probably on our monthly shopping trips for Can Gazà, Siloé, Mallorca Sense Fam, and SOS Mamás.
We are hugely grateful for your continuing support and very proud to deliver so much help to the local community on your behalf.
With best regards,
Nick, Anne, Paddy, Jan and Ruth
Yachting Gives Back
⸻
6Points Cycling Challenges
This was conceived by Bryan Visser in 2016 as an individual rider charity ride around Mallorca. It has grown from 6 riders in 2016 to 76 riders in May this year.
Dear Richie,
On behalf of 6Points Cycling Challenges and our three charities—Asdica, SOS Animal and Shambhala—I am delighted to thank you for including us in your Radiothon and for donating €2,872.50.
It was a pleasure to work with you during the Radiothon and to host a 6Point Ride to add value to your endeavours.
Your wonderful donation has been topped up to €3,000 and equally shared between our three charities. The money has already been paid to them, and they are delighted!
With heartfelt thanks,
Yours sincerely,
Bryan Visser
6Points Challenges
⸻
Cancer Support Mallorca
Back in 2011, Krista Hyer set up the group with the aim of helping patients, carers, and anyone affected by cancer. Krista sadly passed away in 2022, but her amazing work has been carried on by Rebecca Upton and Bronwen Griffiths Thomas.
A heartfelt thank you to Wave Mallorca Radio and all the incredible listeners who supported the recent Radiothon in aid of Cancer Support Mallorca.
Thanks to your generosity, the money raised will go a long way in helping us continue our vital work supporting cancer patients and their families across the island. It means we can:
– Provide free translation and interpretation for medical appointments
– Offer transport to and from treatments for those without support
– Give access to nutritional advice and wellbeing programmes
– Provide counselling and emotional support to patients and caregivers
– Carry out home visits for those unable to travel
– Assist with end-of-life planning and grief support
Every euro raised helps ensure that no one has to face cancer alone.
Thank you for being part of our mission.
Rebecca & Bronwen
⸻
With the donations from this year added to all the other Radiothons since 2015, we have now raised €211,892.44. I keep saying this—we are just the messengers, and you, the listeners and readers are the ones who help us achieve our goals for charity. I see it as one big community that can only grow stronger in the years to come, continuing to help those in need.
Thank you!
Dad Taxi Mallorca 