First on-air auction for Rossendale Radio

Lancashire community station Rossendale Radio is getting ready for its first ever on-air auction this week to raise money for a local charity which supports projects abroad.

Agapao International works to improve the lives of people in the county as well as in places like Uganda, Kenya, India and Sri Lanka.

The radio station, which launched last year, is based in the same building as the charity and will be taking bids on items on air as well as via eBay. Lots include celebrity autographs, a break to a holiday cottage and tickets to see comedian Peter Kay’s stand-up show in Manchester.

Station founder Tony Nixon has been out to Uganda with Agapao twice and on one visit even used his joinery skills to help rebuild a house. “I know first hand just what the Agapao team put into these rewarding trips, and I thought we had to help in some way so the Charity Auction was born,” he said.

He added that the event tomorrow will be a first for the community station. “We will have all the offices and studios linked to go live on the day via a series of ambient mics and open doors to catch all the atmosphere and ringing phones,” said Tony. “It’s going to be a massive day and we really can’t wait.”