On Monday morning, Radio Today published an idea by former Capital Radio news editor Justin Kings for commercial radio to repeat the success of UK Radio Aid – to raise money for victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
Such is the immediacy of the Internet, the UK's biggest commercial radio group replied saying now is not the time to repeat such an event.
UK Radio Aid was was exactly [link=https://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.122]five years ago today[/link], and raised more than three million pounds for victims of the Asian tsunami which happened on Boxing Day 2005.
Radio Today understands that a possible "UK Radio Aid 2" event has been talked about behind closed doors at commercial radio body RadioCentre, but an email to Justin from Jonathan Richards, who is the Group News Editor and Programme Director of LBC, says: "Whilst we appreciate the sentiment of your Radio Today [link=https://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.5539]article[/link] the idea is not something we feel is appropriate at this time.
"All Global Radio brands are proud to be playing a full role in supporting the DEC appeal, and, in our view this is the correct way to proceed in terms of co-ordinating the fund raising efforts of UK commercial radio stations. Our news bulletins have covered the Haiti story extensively (and continue to do so). In line with other UK commercial radio stations Global brands including LBC 97.3 and 95.8 Capital FM are broadcasting the DEC appeal commercials. As you are probably aware the DEC campaign is already the most successful since their tsunami appeal five years ago."
So whilst Dutch broadcasters are pulling together to prepare a simulcast fundraiser for victims of the earthquake, without the support of Global Radio, it is highly unlikely to happen here.