People across Petersfield could enjoy live church services via Shine Radio in beautiful stereo sound if a crowdfunding project achieves its aim of raising £1,800 by the end of the month.

The funding would allow Petersfield Community Radio to invest in the installation of professional audio equipment in the church and enable Sunday services from St Peter’s Church to be broadcast live online at Shine Radio, which launched in August.

The scheme offers a number of rewards for donors, including the chance to present a show on Shine Radio; to read the news or weather; or, for donations of more than £350, a promotional campaign for a business or a chosen good cause.

Petersfield Community Radio co-founder Stephen Martin explained: “One of the aims of the community project is to help alleviate insecurity, isolation and loneliness through a bright, connected radio service in Petersfield.

“The launch of Shine Radio, in August, is helping already but we cannot yet broadcast live from the church. When we recorded a carol service and made the audio available to local care homes, we were overwhelmed by the positive response.

“It’s clear to our volunteers that isolated listeners love to hear services. We want to put live services St Peter’s on Shine Radio in the best possible stereo sound quality.”

He continued: “We are raising money to help secure this service for the community at a time when commercial sponsorship is extremely hard to find, so crowdfunding seems a good way to achieve our aim of helping the vulnerable in our community.

“All our volunteers are currently working remotely, which also incurs costs, but, right now, we specifically want to raise money to enable us to relay live church services to people who cannot attend them.

“Our target is £1,800 and we need to have that amount pledged by October 27 so we’re extremely grateful for the generosity of people and businesses in the Petersfield area.”

Shine Radio currently provides a 24/7 online radio service at shineradio.uk, featuring specialist programming and a ‘brighter mix of music’ throughout the day.

It is the broadcast arm of the not-for-profit umbrella company Petersfield Community Radio, which has been producing audio content since October 2019 and which launched the highly popular and useful Morning Report at the beginning of lockdown, to keep residents of the town and its nearby villages fully informed of all the rules and closures.

To support the crowdfunding appeal please visit crowdfunder.co.uk/petersfields-shine-radio and pledge your chosen amount.

To discover more about Shine Radio, to volunteer, or to listen to its 24/7 radio service, visit shineradio.uk.

ENDS

Information for journalists

• Shine Radio is the 24-hour broadcast service from Petersfield Community Radio – not-for-profit and operated by volunteers for social gain.
• Petersfield Shine Radio content is available to download or stream from popular podcast outlets, such as iTunes / Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play and TuneIn as well as smart speakers.
• Co-founder Stephen Martin is available for interview. Please contact Lucy Davies, in the first instance, to arrange.

For further information contact the project’s PR officer, Lucy Davies, on ppodguests@gmail.com, or call 01730 5 55 500.

Contact details:

www.shineradio.uk                                                       Twitter: @shineradio

01730 555 500                                                              Facebook: Petersfield’s Shine Radio

team@shineradio.uk                                                     Instagram: shineradiopetersfield