Keith Community Radio

Tonight, we were thoroughly entertained by Sheila McDonald from Keith Community Radio (KCR), who gave us a fascinating insight into the work of this much-loved local community station. Now in its 29th year, KCR is run entirely by volunteers and continues to bring a wide variety of programmes to listeners across the area.

With more than 100 presenters involved, there really is something for everyone! From cooking and folk music to piping, emo music and everything in be-tween, the station celebrates a wonderfully diverse range of interests and musical tastes. Sheila herself hosts a show in the style of Desert Island Discs, inviting listeners to enjoy the stories and music behind people's choices. The station al-so welcomes presenters of all ages, with its youngest aged just 10 and its oldest an impressive 83 years old, demonstrating that community radio truly is for everyone.

Keeping the station on air costs approximately £14,000 each year, with funding raised through sponsorship and a variety of fundraising activities, including quizzes and coffee mornings. This ongoing community support helps ensure that KCR can continue to provide a platform for local voices, interests and talent.

A particularly proud moment for everyone involved came last year when Keith Community Radio received The King's Award for Voluntary Service. This prestigious recognition was a huge honour for the team and a fitting tribute to the dedication, enthusiasm and commitment of the many volunteers who give their time to keep the station running.

Our thanks go to Sheila for sharing the story of KCR with us and for highlighting the important role that community radio plays in bringing people together.

If you would like to tune in, Keith Community Radio can be found on 107.7 FM or listened to online at www.kcr.fm