Regular visitors to the Radio Lollipop website may recognise Charlene Henry. As many of you will know, Charlene won a Golden Ticket for a visit to the Nestle Chocolate Factory whilst on a day out with Just for Kids and Radio Lollipop.

As part of the trip, Charlene agreed to take part in an interview for the local newspapers. Her story created a massive impact on local people and she has encouraged many people to think about joining the organ donor register and giving the chance of life to other young people in her situation, waiting patiently for comaptible organs to become available.

Radio Lollipop are very proud to have been involved in part in Charlene’s rise to fame…so look out for her on a TV screen near you…

CLICK HERE TO SEE CHARLENE’S STORY IN THE EVENING CHRONICLE

Radio Lollipop has been awarded £2,500 after being crowned one of London’s best small sized employers for practical learning.

Radio Lollipop were awarded the honours after winning the regional heats of the Edge Employer Award; a joint Jamie Oliver and Simon Woodroffe –backed initiative to recognise the best employers in England offering practical learning opportunities to 14-25 year-olds.

Having already beat hundreds of organisations, Radio Lollipop will now go head-to-head with eighteen other small sized organisations for the chance to be recognised as the country’s best practical learning employer and receive a staggering £25,000 investment.

Hedley Finn, Chairman of Radio Lollipop UK was thrilled with the news saying: “We are delighted to have won an Edge Employer Award. Learning by doing is essential for all Radio Lollipop volunteers. Practical learning is implemented in a number of ways including; team building days, team coaching, secondments and we have a buddy scheme to pair new volunteers with experienced volunteers.”

Simon Woodroffe, Edge supporter and Founder of Yo! Sushi, says: “Congratulations to Radio Lollipop for winning an Edge Employer Award. Most people really discover what they love and what they’re good at by actually doing it. It is great that Radio Lollipop is committed to giving young people these opportunities.”

Jamie Oliver, a supporter of the Edge Employer Awards says: “The Edge Employer Awards is a brilliant competition and the winning organisations are doing an outstanding job, I hope other organisations will be inspired to follow in their footsteps.”

All regional winners will receive their trophy and prize at the Edge Employer Awards ceremony at Old Billingsgate, in London, 1 November, at which the four national winners are to be announced. Jamie Oliver and Simon Woodroffe will both attend the ceremony.

Radio Lollipop Newcastle helped to raise local awareness of the charity by taking part in two major fundraising events alongside The Children’s Foundation in July and August.

The aims of the Children’s Foundation are to support research and programmes that will make a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of children and young people.

The Yellow Brick Road Sponsored Walks provide vital funds for the charity and were well supported this year. As well as enjoying a beautiful walk around the parkland, children watched Gary Dunn put on an amusing magic show which entertained the adults too. There were also stilt walkers, a close-up magician, face-painters, air-brush tattooists and a storyteller. Walkers received fun filled goody bags at the end of the walk and balloons in all shapes and sizes and the children were able to test their artwork skills in making a banner to adorn The Children’s Foundation’s new office opening later this year.

Radio Lollipop were pleased to help make the days a sucess and hope to be working closely with The Children’s Foundation again in future.