LISTENERS of a Cork radio station have defied the prevailing economic conditions by raising more than €330,000 for two hospitals.
The preliminary figure of €330,776 for the charity “radiothon” surpassed expectations with the final figure expected to top the €350,000 mark. The 96FM Cork for Kids Radiothon raised €279,000 in 2008, with organisers not expecting to top that figure in recessionary times.
All of the money raised will go towards the upkeep and development of children’s wards at the Mercy University Hospital and Cork University Hospital in the city.
Director of the Mercy Hospital Foundation, Michael Sheridan, says the money raised will be well spent.
“Here in the Mercy it will be used for making improvements for both the kids and their families. That is everything from improving the facilities when they are staying over, improving the comfort of the place, and now we can start looking at maybe getting some key pieces of equipment.”
Tony McNamara, general manager at Cork University Hospital, said he was “thrilled” with the generosity.
Donors included children who brought their own piggy banks to the hospital after parents of patients made emotional appeals over the air.