Midsummer’s day saw 30 Radio Lollipop volunteers, family and friends take part in the Southampton Airport Charity Fun Run to raise funds for the charity. The event is organised by the British Airports Authority, who invite charities in the region to run the length of the runway twice – after the last plane of the day has landed – to raise much needed funds.

Luckily the strong wind that had been blowing early in evening stopped just before the starting horn was blown by former Southampton Football Club legend Matthew Le Tissier. The Radio Lollipop team’s red wigs were soon flying down the runway. Some of the team ran all the way and the 5km distance was little more than an evening stroll. For non-runners it was a real challenge.

Everyone completed the course successfully and as a result of their efforts managed to raise over £700 for Radio Lollipop

Egmont Books were delighted to present Radio Lollipop with a gift of 7 boxes full of children’s books destined for the UK stations. Egmont Books are part of a charitable organisation which helps to support Children’s charities. As a responsible children’s book publisher Egmont Books believe in the importance of helping children develop a healthy appreciation of books and reading.

Being stuck in hospital without much to do is a very frustrating experience for children. Egmont hope that the provision of these free books will help Radio Lollipop continue to provide the unique service in supporting children during their stay in hospital.

Egmont Books would like to wish Radio Lollipop all the best for the rest of the year, and we hope the kids love the books!

Sam Mawson
Production Coordinator Egmont Books

On the 1st July 2003 Radio Lollipop in Edinburgh will be hosting a Bond Night full of glitz and glamour at Bar 38 on George Street, Edinburgh. The aim of the evening is to raise the profile and funds for Operation Romanian Big Smile. The Operation will see 14 volunteers from Radio Lollipop in Edinburgh visit Romania to promote the benefits of play and entertainment for children whilst in hospital.

The themed event will transport guests into the sophisticated world of 007. Candlelight and a string quartet will set the scene and an offer of champagne and canapés on arrival will help get the party started. A range of entertainment will be offered throughout the evening including an auction where bids can be placed on a number of exclusive items.

Money raised from the event will help enable Radio Lollipop in Edinburgh to visit Romania in September. Volunteers currently provide care, comfort, play and entertainment services for children at the Sick Kids Hospital in Edinburgh. Volunteers want to offer these valuable skills to children in Romania. They will provide games, crafts and entertainment for children at several hospitals and orphanages in Bucharest and Brasov. By sharing these skills with hospital and orphanage staff it is hoped that Operation Romanian Big Smile will help make a lasting difference to aiding Romanian children’s recovery whilst in hospital.

Radio Lollipop (Glasgow) volunteers Charlene Petersen and Stewart Priest visited Radio Lollipop at Texas Childrens’ Hospital recently.

Being volunteers already, they knew what to expect when they arrived… they’d be roped into all kinds of fun competitions and games – and ‘Smiley’ Stewart (pictured 2nd from the left) somehow ended up line-dancing with the Texas volunteers – while Charlene chickened out and volunteered to take the pictures!

Stewart said: “It was great to see another Lollipop! All the stations we have all over the world are quite different, but at the same time, they’re all the same! I’ll definately be back at some point.”

Regardless of where Charlene and Stewart end up next, Scot the Bear won’t be far behind!