Radio City raised more than £40,000 in their latest fundraising event for their charity, Cash for Kids.
The fundraiser had a variety of fun events in the city centre as hundreds met under the big TV screen in Clayton Square to take part in a ‘onesie Conga’. The Cash for Kids charity encouraged participants to pick their favorite onesie to wear for the occasion and to drop £1 in the fundraising buckets.
Charity fundraiser Katie Harrison told JMU Journalism: “The event was really good. We had lots of people that came out and supported us with donations. Many different schools and nurseries also came along to the onesie conga.”
The conga travelled down Church Street, through Williamson Square and finished at Mathew Street where a world record attempt of hopscotch was then carried out.
Money raised from the event and throughout the year is spent locally on children and young people under the age of 18. It also helps those children who suffer from mental, physical or sensory disabilities and provides help for those that are living in poverty or situations involving deprivation, abuse or neglect.
Katie spoke on the importance of Cash for Kids, saying: “As we are a grant-giving charity, with the money we raise we are able to help smaller charities that need things for their organisations, like local brownie groups or kits for football teams.”
Radio City presenters also took part in the fundraising day. Rossie and Co from the station’s breakfast show carried out a special 12-hour broadcast for the occasion out of the Radio City tower and at Signature Living Hotel on Stanley Street.
During the 7am-7pm broadcast, special guests also joined in, with the on-air fun including 2010 X Factor Winner Matt Cardle.
Listeners across the city also had the opportunity to bid on auction items with all of the proceeds going to Cash for Kids. These auctions included private lessons with Dancing on Ice professional Dan Whiston, a meet-and-greet with boy band Lawson and tickets to a Radio City dinner party for 10 at the top of the tower.
The charity is already planning for their future events. Kate said: “We are fully Christmas-focused now. Mission Christmas is the biggest of the year which is our toy appeal. We ask people to donate one extra gift at various collection points around the city centre.”
Last year’s Christmas toy appeal helped over 17,000 children and collected toys valued at £2,000.